We occasionally offer resources that may be of use to our viewers, feel free to download a copy of our THE WARRIOR AWARENESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY LOG.
The mental health counseling and intervention resources listed on this page are intended to be free to the veteran. That version of “free” may be time limited, be billed to insurance or a third party other than the veteran, or have some other restrictions that we’re not aware of. While listing a resource on this page, we do our best to validate their service and ensure that the provider or resource is culturally competent and veteran familiar. Their presence here could be seen as an endorsement, but that endorsement does not imply individual success with any of these resources.
My friend and colleague, Corie Weathers, has begun to develop a nationwide network of mental health professionals who are veterans or military spouses. You can see the interactive map of military culturally competent mental health professionals here
The page is divided into geographic regions, as well as resources that can be used across the U.S.
NATIONWIDE
Veteran Crisis Line: The Veteran Crisis Line is a series of resources provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to enable a veteran or family member support a veteran in crisis. The Crisis Line phone number is 1-800-273-8255, press 1. Veterans also have the ability to text to 838255, or talk online with a confidential veterans chat. The page has a section that allows veterans and those who support veterans understand what crisis and suicide signs look like, and provide the opportunity for veterans to take a self-check assessment to determine their level of risk without any requirement to access follow-up services. For more information about the Veteran Crisis Line, take a look at this resource highlight post.
Vets Prevail: Vets Prevail is an online mental health awareness and education platform that uses technology, clinical mental health counseling resources, and anonymous peer support to assist veterans in gaining better understanding and awareness about their mental health and wellness. Anonymous self-assessments help provide an understanding of challenges you may be facing. Self-guided learning helps to teach the veteran about the different aspects of mental health and wellness. Users have the ability to be connected to a Peer and participate in an anonymous online chat with a certified user that has worked through the program themselves. For more information about Vets Prevail, take a look at this resource highlight post.
Give An Hour: Give An Hour is a national 501(c)3 Nonprofit that administers a network of licensed mental health providers that have agreed to provide no-cost services to veterans and those who support them. There is no requirement that the veteran must have been deployed to combat, there is no restriction on the amount of time the veteran has served, when the veteran served, nor (to my knowledge) a restriction on the characterization of discharge that the veteran received. There are also no restrictions on the services for veteran’s families. For more information about Give An Hour, take a look at this resource highlight post.
CALIFORNIA
The Cohen Veteran Network: The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at USC is part of the nationwide Cohen Veteran Network, a group of clinics providing free or low cost services for veterans and their families. Services at a CVN Clinic support veterans with mental health counseling services provided by staff that is familiar with the unique needs of military service members. For a more in depth look at the Headstrong Project, take a look at this resource highlight post.
COLORADO
Colorado Veterans Health and Wellness Agency: CVHWA is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit affiliated with an outpatient mental health counseling agency, Family Care Center LLC. This is a grant-funded program that provides mental health counseling services to veterans in and around Colorado Springs, Colorado, regardless of era of service or characterization of discharge. For more information about CVHWA, take a look at this resource highlight post.
NEW YORK
The Cohen Veteran Network: The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at NYU Langone is part of the nationwide Cohen Veteran Network, a group of clinics providing free or low cost services for veterans and their families. Services at a CVN Clinic support veterans with mental health counseling services provided by staff that is familiar with the unique needs of military service members. For a more in depth look at the Headstrong Project, take a look at this resource highlight post.
Pennsylvania
The Cohen Veteran Network: The The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, is part of the nationwide Cohen Veteran Network, a group of clinics providing free or low cost services for veterans and their families. Services at a CVN Clinic support veterans with mental health counseling services provided by staff that is familiar with the unique needs of military service members. For a more in depth look at the Headstrong Project, take a look at this resource highlight post.
TEXAS
The Cohen Veteran Network: The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Family Endeavors, Inc. (San Antonio) and The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Metrocare (Dallas) are part of the nationwide Cohen Veteran Network, a group of clinics providing free or low cost services for veterans and their families. Services at a CVN Clinic support veterans with mental health counseling services provided by staff that is familiar with the unique needs of military service members. For a more in depth look at the Headstrong Project, take a look at this resource highlight post.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Cohen Veteran Network: The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic At Easterseals, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, is part of the nationwide Cohen Veteran Network, a group of clinics providing free or low cost services for veterans and their families. Services at a CVN Clinic support veterans with mental health counseling services provided by staff that is familiar with the unique needs of military service members. For a more in depth look at the Headstrong Project, take a look at this resource highlight post.