Even as U.S. service members support ongoing evacuation operations in Afghanistan, recent events also impact our service members, civilian employees, and their families. Department of Defense personnel have served in Afghanistan and in support of Afghanistan throughout the past 20 years, and recent events have brought up memories and feelings that can be stressful, painful, and difficult.
The Department of Defense offers a variety of mental health support resources to service members, employees, veterans, and their families. Our personnel have served professionally and completed missions as required and as necessary to protect our freedoms and safeguard our Allies and partners. We are forever grateful to those who serve and their families.
The Real Warriors Campaign aims to break down the stigma associated with mental health care and encourages service members to reach out for help when they need it. Find articles with support resources, video profiles with service member and veteran stories, and materials to download or order at www.health.mil/RealWarriors.
The Psychological Health Resource Center is available 24/7 for service members, veterans, and family members with questions about psychological health topics. Trained mental health consultants can help callers access mental health care and community support resources in their local area. www.health.mil/PHRC or call 866-966-1020 for assistance.
The inTransition Program is a free confidential program that provides specialized coaching and assistance for service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and retirees who need access to mental health care when relocating to another assignment, returning from deployment, transitioning between active duty and reserve component, preparing to leave military service, or any other time they need a new mental health provider, or need a provider for the first time. www.health.mil/inTransition or call 800-424-7877
The Military Crisis Line, text-messaging service, and online chat provide free VA support for all Service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and all Veterans, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. Call: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. Text: 838255 Chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat
TRICARE offers mental health care to all its enrollees. Find out how by visiting https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Mental/GettingMHCare. This website also contains links to mental health providers through the TRICARE network.
Military Medical Treatment Facilities often provide mental health services, including integrated behavioral health clinics. Contact your primary care manager to see if this resource is available at your local MTF. If it is, you can schedule an appointment same day. Find out more by visiting https://www.tricare.mil/Military-Hospitals-and-Clinics
Military One Source can provide access to confidential Military Family Life Counselors in your community: www.militaryonesource.mil or by calling 1-800-342-9647.
Military OneSource also provides resources so you can manage stress and access benefits and tools that will help you stay strong in body and mind. This page provides access to self-care mobile applications developed within the Department of Defense, Veteran Affairs and other partners. All mobile applications are free and for iOS and/or Android devices. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/recommended-wellness-apps/
Military Health System Web Pages. There are two sources of information on the Military Health System websites. Specific links listed at the bottom of this page. They are: www.health.mil/mentalhealth and www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth