Veterans with Disabilities: Mental Health

Mental health resources are available to service members and veterans. The following is a listing of some of those resources. See also the Mental Health section of the Disability Rights Ohio website.

Mental Health Helplines

• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Ohio Resource Network (ORN) Referral Helpline for Substance Abuse Services: 1-800-788-7254
• State of Ohio Mental Health Referral Helpline: 1-877-275-6364

OHIOCARES

Works to enhance the "safety net" community of behavioral health services available for military personnel and their families and to compliment the services available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and Vet Centers by linkages with county alcohol, drug and mental health boards and behavioral health care providers. OHIOCARES is a collaboration of state and local agencies in Ohio. For more information: OHIOCARES

Ohio Department of Mental Health

Provides information and resources for veterans, service members and families. For more information: Information for Veterans, Service Members and Families

AboutFace

Learn from this VA website about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from veterans who live with it every day and find out how treatment turned their lives around. For more information: AboutFace

afterdeployment

Provides online information and referral to veterans, service members and their families about behavioral health supports and services for issues related to after-deployment, such as depression, increased stress, and relationship difficulties. For more information: afterdeployment

Army Behavioral Health

Provides education, prevention, and early treatment to ensure that every deployed and returning soldier receives the health care they need. Services are provided through the U.S. Army Medical Department. For more information: Army Behavioral Health

Broken Warriors

An ongoing series by NextGov on mental health issues in the military. Topics covered include the impact of the military's drug policy; how pre-deployment health screening reduces behavioral problems; prescription drug abuse problems; and the policy on military members who use sleep aid medications. For more information: NextGov - Broken Warriors

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress

Conducts research, education, consultation and training on preparing for and responding to the psychological effects and health consequences of traumatic events. The Center's work includes policy recommendations to help military populations. For more information: Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress

Coaching Into Care

A free and confidential coaching service to help family members and friends discover new ways to talk with their veteran about their concerns and about treatment options. For more information: Coaching Into Care

Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center

Provides information and referrals to military service members, veterans, their families and others with questions about psychological health and traumatic brain injury. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The outreach center can assist with everything from routine requests for information about psychological health and traumatic brain injury, to questions about symptoms a caller is having, to helping a caller find appropriate health care resources. To access services, call 866-966-1020 or email resources@dcoeoutreach.org. For more information: Defense Centers of Excellence Outreach Center

Department of Veterans Affairs - Mental Health

Provides general inpatient psychiatric services and mental health outpatient services in medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics. Readjustment counseling services are also available for veterans and their families. For more information: Department of Veterans Affairs - Mental Health

Give an Hour

Provides free mental health services by connecting service members in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families with mental health professionals. This is a nationwide volunteer program of a non-profit organization. For more information: Give an Hour

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Mental health resources provided by a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. For more information: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

Medline Plus: Veterans and Military Health

Provides online resources about mental health issues that affect service members, such as the effects of shrapnel and gunshot wounds, lost limbs, post traumatic stress disorder, and head injuries. For more information: Medline Plus: Veterans and Military Health

Military Families

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides information about mental health services and ensures that behavioral health services are accessible and that outcomes are positive for service members and their families. For more information: Military Families

Military Pathways

Offers service members and their families the opportunity to take anonymous, mental health and alcohol use self-assessments online, by phone or through special events held at installations. After completing a self-assessment, individuals receive referral information. For more information: Military Pathways

National Center for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Provides information for veterans about post-traumatic Stress Disorder and other stress-related disorders. The information is provided by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information: National Center for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Operation Healthy Reunions

Provides educational materials on mental health topics, such as reuniting with a spouse and children, adjusting after war, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. For more information: Operation Healthy Reunions

Polytrauma System of Care

Provides services to veterans and returning service members with injuries to more than one physical region or organ system, one of which may be life threatening, and which results in physical, cognitive, psychological, or psychosocial impairments and functional disability. For more information: Polytrauma System of Care

PTSD Coach

The PTSD Coach is mobile application for iPhone and Android developed by the VA that can help people learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma. Features include reliable information on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatments that work; tools for screening and tracking symptoms; convenient, easy-to-use skills to help handle stress symptoms; and direct links to support and help. For more information: Mobile App: PTSD Coach

Purple Star Veterans and Families

Connects families and brings attention to existing organizations and services to facilitate a more cohesive network of resources to families in need. The mission of the organization is to strengthen the safety net of support for veterans and their families through the trials of homecoming. Support is offered both online and in the community.  For more information: Purple Star Veterans and Families

Real Warriors

Promotes the processes of building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration of returning service members, veterans and their families. For more information: Real Warriors

Report: Purple Hearts for PTSD: Report Calls for Change in Military Culture; Outlines Mental Health Needs of Veterans

A report from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)  that calls for Purple Heart medals to be awarded for psychological wounds like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and for military commanders at all levels to be accountable for suicide prevention and elimination of stigma. For more information: Purple Hearts for PTSD: Report Calls for Change in Military Culture; Outlines Mental Health Needs of Veterans

Resources for Returning Veterans and Their Families

Provides listing of mental health resources, services, conferences, and publications for veterans and their families. For more information: Resources for Returning Veterans and Their Families

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator

Provides contact information for drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs. The facility locator is managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information: Substance Abuse Treatment and Mental Health Treatment Services Locators

Summit For Soldiers

Nationwide awareness campaign about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For more information: Summit For Soldiers

TRICARE - Mental Health and Behavior Services

Covers mental health/behavioral health care that is medically or psychologically necessary for treatment of a behavioral health disorder of a service member or veteran. For more information: Mental Health and Behavior

Veterans and Military Resource Center

Mental health information and resources provided by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). For more information: Veterans and Military Resource Center

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Links updated March 2013