Resources
Direct Services/Health Benefits
Online Screening Tools
PTSD
Military Families
Homecoming
National Guard and Reservists
Veterans
Parents
Domestic Abuse
Wounded Soldier Support
Childcare
Financial Issues
Loss of a Family Member
Direct Services/Health Benefits
TRICARE
(877) 874-2273 North Region
(800) 403-3950 South Region
(888) 874-9378 West Region
(888) 363-2273 Main TRICARE Information Service number
http://www.tricare.mil/mhshome.aspx
TRICARE has three regional claims offices that can be contacted for information
about healthcare benefits, including benefits for mental health and substance
abuse services.
Deployment Health Clinical Center
www.pdhealth.mil/family.asp
The Deployment Health Clinical Center Web site offers a list
of resources for service members and their families and a link to the
Department of Defense Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (alcohol
and mental health screening).
Department of Veterans Affairs
www.va.gov
The official Web site for the Department of Veterans Affairs
offers information about benefits for returning veterans, those who
have lost a loved one, health insurance information and facility locator
to help find the closest VA Medical Center and the services it offers.
Vet Centers
www1.va.gov/directory/guide/vetcenter_flsh.asp
Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services
to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available
for their family members for military-related issues. Veterans have
earned these benefits through their service and all are provided at
no cost to the veteran or family. The 207 community based Vet Centers
are located in all fifty states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto
Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Use this link to locate your closest
Vet Center.
Military OneSource
(800) 342-9647 (24-hour, toll-free number)
www.militaryonesource.com
• ARMY - "Army OneSource" 800-464-8107
• MARINES - "Marines OneSource" 800-869-0278
• NAVY - "Navy OneSource" 800-540-4123
• AIR FORCE - "Air Force OneSource" 800-707-5784
A Military OneSource consultant can provide a brief assessment
and referral to mental health professionals across the country for
six free counseling sessions.
Dept of Defense Helpline
(800) 796-9699
This is a deployment helpline at Walter Reed Medical Center.
Online Screening Tools
Screening for Mental Health's Mental Health Self-Assessment
Program
(877) 877-3647
www.militarymentalhealth.org
Depression Screening
www.depression-screening.org
PTSD
National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(802) 296-6300
www.ncptsd.va.gov
This is a Web site sponsored by the Department. of Veterans
Affairs that offers a broad range of information about post-traumatic
stress disorder, treatment methods and has a VA facilities locator.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
(240) 485-1001
www.adaa.org
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America offers extensive
information about anxiety disorders (including PTSD) in people of all
ages, online self-screening tools, a searchable list of treatment professionals
and support groups, information about clinical trials, a medication
chart, on-line newsletter, personal stories, and an online bookstore.
The Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute
(888) 825-8249 (therapist referral)
www.sidran.org
The Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute offers extensive information
online about PTSD, geographic lists of therapists with experience treating
people with PTSD, and books, articles, and referrals to support groups.
They also have information about self-injury.
Suicide Hotline
Phone: (800) 273-TALK (8255)
By calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's 24 hour
toll-free crisis hotline, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), you are
connected with a crisis center that can tell you where to seek immediate
help in your area.
Witness Justice: for survivors of traumatic events
(800) 495-4957
www.witnessjustice.org
Witness Justice offers information to help survivors and their
friends and family. Use keywords, “military families� or “war� in the
search box to find materials on these topics.
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
(888) 357-7924
www.healthyminds.org
The APA has information about a broad range of mental health
topics. To locate a psychiatrist in your area, you can contact APA’s
Answer Center using their toll-free number.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
(866) 615-6464
www.nimh.nih.gov
NIMH offers information about a broad range of mental health
topics, including PTSD, medications and listing of current clinical
trials. Their initiative Real Men Real Depression offers information
to help encourage men to seek treatment for depression.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) National Mental Health Information Center
(800)-789-2647
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases
SAMHSA provides referrals to outpatient, inpatient and residential
treatment facilities, including affordable mental health services.
Their Web site has a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator to
help you find substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment (combined
treatment for those who have both a substance abuse and mental health
problem).
Publications
PTSD
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoPTSD.cfm
Discussing Trauma and PTSD With Your Doctor
www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/specific/fs_doctor.html
PTSD and the Family
www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/specific/fs_family.html
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Real Illness
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/nimhptsd.cfm
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/ptsdmenu.cfm
Military Families
Army Community Service Center
www.myarmylifetoo.com
MyArmyLifeToo offers information and articles on various topics,
such as home and personal safety, managing deployment and money management.
Military OneSource
(800) 342-9647 (24-hour, toll-free number)
www.militaryonesource.com
See description in above section.
National Military Family Association
(800) 260-0218
www.nmfa.org
The National Military Family Association educates military
families about their rights and benefits. Their main programs are Spouse
Scholarships (awarded to spouses to obtain professional certification
or attend post-secondary or graduate school) and Operation Purple Camps
(summer camps for military children).
Army Family Readiness Group
www.armyfrg.org
Family members can check their unit's Web site for up-to-date
information and information about other families in the unit.
Marine Corps Community Services
www.usmc-mccs.org/index.htm
Find support programs, including deployment, relocation and
transition.
Army Families Online
(800) 833-6622
http://www.armyfamiliesonline.org
Army Families Online staffs the Army Information Line from
8:00am to 4:30pm EST. They offer information and referral services
for Army soldiers, civilians, retirees, veterans and families and address
all issues and concerns. For mental health services, they refer to
One-Source or for active-duty soldiers, they can connect them to their
chaplain or someone in their chain of command.
Families First Casualty Call Center
(866) 272-5841
This call center offers long-term assistance to those who
have lost a loved one who was a service member. They provide information
about Social Security, VA and death benefits.
MilSpouse.org
www.milspouse.org
The Military Spouse Resource Center provides information and
resources to spouses of military personnel related to education, training
and employment within the U.S. They also have a section on relocation
resources.
Military Family Network
http://emilitary.org
Their mission is to support military families and increase
their readiness and well-being by connecting them with their communities
and the organizations that provide the best service and value.
Publications
Families in the Military
www.aacap.org/page.ww?section=Facts%20for%20Familiesandname=Families%20In%20The%20Military
Helping Children Cope During Deployment
http://www.usuhs.mil/psy/CTChildrenCopeDuringDeployment.pdf
Helping Kids Cope
www.sofarusa.org/downloads/sofar_children_pamphlet.pdf
Coping when a family member has been called to war
www.ncptsd.va.gov/war/familycoping.htm
Advancing the Health of the Family left Behind http://www.usuhs.mil/psy/CTCHealthFamilyLeftBehind.pdf
Coping With the Stress of Ongoing Military Operations
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoOngoingOperations.cfm
Helping Our Children Deal With War
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoWarChild.cfm
Homecoming
Veterans and Families
www.veteransandfamilies.org
Veterans and Families provide information and resources to
help homecoming Veterans and their families in their transition from
military to civilian life. You will find links to online support groups.
Publications
How to Get Back to Normal
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoBacktoNormal.cfm
When the Letdown Doesn’t Let Up
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoLetdown.cfm
Being a Couple Again
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoCouple.cfm
Reconnecting With Your Children
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoChildren.cfm
Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Military Families
www.ncptsd.va.gov/war/guide/GuideforFamilies.pdf
Courage to Care: Becoming a Couple Again
http://www.usuhs.mil/psy/RFSMC.pdf
Welcome Home: A guide to a healthy family reunion
www.redcross.org/pubs/afpubs/welcome.pdf
National Guard and Reservists
Army Reserve Family Programs
(800) 318-5298 (Army HR Command)
www.arfp.org
The Army Reserve Family Programs offers homecoming and reunion
resources, including tips and links to resources.
National Guard Family Programs
(888) 777-7731
www.guardfamily.org
The National Guard Family Programs offer information about
programs, benefits, and resources, including family, youth and community
outreach initiatives.
Citizen Soldiers Support Program
www.ribbonstoreality.org
Citizen Soldiers Support Programs works with local community
agencies and organizations to address needs of Citizen Soldiers (including
members of the National Guard and Reservists) and their families.
Publications
Returning to Work
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoReturnWork.cfm
Helping National Guard and Reserve Reenter the Workplace
http://www.usuhs.mil/psy/GuardReserveReentryWorkplace.pdf
How Communities Can Support the Children and Families of Those Serving in the
National Guard or Reserves www.militarychild.org/pdfs/GuardReserveForWeb.pdf
Veterans
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
www.iava.org/index.php
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America provides support
through advocacy, education and fundraising (fundraising mainly for
VA hospitals).
National Veterans Foundation
(888) 777-4443 (hotline) (9am-9pm PST)
www.nvf.org
The National Veterans Foundation is operated by veterans and
helps veterans and families access the help they need, including suicide
and crisis intervention and mental health/PTSD counseling.
AMVETS
(877) 7AM-VETS
www.amvets.org
AMVETS provides information, counseling and claims service
to all honorably discharged veterans and their families concerning
their benefits. They are also involved in community service programs
and advocacy.
Vietnam Veterans of America
(800) VVA-1316
www.vva.org
The Vietnam Veterans of America is a support and advocacy
organization.
Parents
Marineparents.com
(573) 449-2003
www.marineparents.com
Marineparents.com offers resources for parents, spouses, family
and friends of Marines. They help connect families to each other via
e-mail, chat rooms and message boards.
Publications
Your Soldier Your Army: A Parent’s Guide
www.ausa.org/pdfdocs/YourSoldier.pdf
Domestic Abuse
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-SAFE (7233)
(800) 787-3224 (TTY)
www.ndvh.org/
Through this 24-hour hotline, you can speak with a hotline
advocate. Hotline advocates provide support and assistance to anyone
involved in a domestic violence situation, crisis intervention, safety
planning, information about domestic violence and referrals to local
service providers. A direct connection to domestic violence resources
is available in the caller’s area.
Wounded Soldier Support
Military Severely Injured Joint Operations Center
(888) 774-1361 (24-hour hotline)
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/portal/page/itc/MHF/MHF_HOME_1?section_id=20.40.500.393.0.0.0.0.0
This Center offers assistance for severely wounded service
members and their families by connecting them with various military
and government agencies. They offer help with medical care, rehabilitation,
education, employment, mental health counseling, and financial assistance
and accommodation issues. They also offer regional ombudsmen/advocates.
The Center is staffed with registered nurses, master's level researchers
and counselors working as care managers who can answer questions and
provide nationwide assistance.
National Family Caregivers Association
(800) 896-3650
www.nfcacares.org
The National Family Caregivers Association educates, supports,
empowers and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who care
for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability or the frailties
of old age. NFCA reaches across the boundaries of diagnoses, relationships
and life stages to address the common needs and concerns of all family
caregivers. They offer educational materials and links to other resources
and support.
Fisher House
(888) 294-8560
www.fisherhouse.org
Fisher House provides housing and other supports so that family
members can be close to wounded or ill service members. They also offer
a frequent flyer donation program and a scholarship program.
National Amputation Foundation
(516) 887-3600
www.nationalamputation.org
This organization provides support for recent amputees, including
in person peer support and phone support. They also offer donated medical
equipment and printed information.
Blind Veterans Association
(202) 371-8880
www.bva.org
This organization offers support to blinded veterans via field
representatives and peer to peer support for veterans and families.
They also offer scholarship program for spouses and dependant children.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
(800) 424-8200
www.pva.org
The Paralyzed Veterans of America is an advocacy organization
that also provides benefits information, social programs and sports
and recreation programs.
Marine for Life Injured Support Program
(888) 774-1361 (24 Hour Injured Support Hotline)
www.m4l.usmc.mil
This program offers help with reintegration and transitioning
from Marines to VA. They provide information about specific injuries,
benefits and links to other agencies. Direct support is available via
their toll-free number.
Navy Safe Harbor Program
(877) 746-8563
www.npc.navy.mil/CommandSupport/SafeHarbor
This program provides support and assistance to sailors injured
after 9/10/01. They help with benefits information and retention or
transition into civilian life.
Childcare
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral
Agencies
(800) 793-0324 x341
http://www.naccrra.org/MilitaryPrograms
NACCRRA works with the Department of Defense (DoD) to help
those who serve in the military find and afford child care that suits
their unique needs. For help finding a child care provider, contact
Child Care Aware at (800) 424-2246 or at childcareaware.org. To reach
the Military Subsidy department, call the number listed above.
Financial Issues
Armed Forces Relief Trust
www.afrtrust.org/
This is the main Web site for collecting donations for Military
relief organizations.
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
(800) 881-2462
www.cgmahq.org/
The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance program offers financial
counseling and assistance via grants and loans for emergency housing,
food, medical assistance and other essentials.
Army Emergency Relief
(866) 878-6378
www.aerhq.org
Army Emergency Relief offers financial counseling and assistance
via grants and loans for emergency housing, food, medical assistance
and other essentials. It is usually handled via the local or base Army
Emergency Relief officer. They also offer scholarship programs.
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society
http://www.nmcrs.org/about.html
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society offers financial counseling
and assistance via grants and loans for emergency housing, food, medical
assistance and other essentials. Please contact the nearest office
for assistance.
Loss of a Family Member
American Gold Star Mothers
(202) 265-0991
www.goldstarmoms.com
They are a non-profit membership organization for mothers
who have lost a son or daughter in the military. They provide
support and sponsor memorial programs and events.
Comfort Zone Camp
(866) 488-5679
www.comfortzonecamp.org/military.asp
Comfort Zone Camp provides grief support weekend camps for
children ages 7 to17 and offers special programs for children in military
families.
Gold Star Wives
(888) 751-6350
www.goldstarwives.org
Gold Star Wives is a non-profit membership organization for
people who have lost spouses in the military. They offer local chapters,
memorial programs, support and benefit information.
Society of Military Widows
(800) 842-3451, Ext. 1005
www.militarywidows.org
The Society of Military Widows is a non-profit membership
advocacy and support organization. They provide information about benefits,
supports and networking via local chapters.
TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)
(202) 588-TAPS (8277)
www.taps.org
TAPS offers support for survivors: peer support as well as
24-hour crisis intervention. They also provide information about benefits
and other services, survivor seminars, camps for children and have
an online chat.
Publications
Bereavement and Grief
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoWarGrief.cfm
Returning to Work
Business and Professional Women/USA Business and Women's Professional Foundation
(202) 293-1100
www.bpwusa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=47
This group developed Women Joining Forces,
a program designed to help women veterans re-enter the workforce.
Publications
Returning to Work
www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/infoReturnWork.cfm
