According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a mental illness is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others. If you have — or think you might have — a mental illness, the first thing you must know is that you are not alone. Mental health conditions are far more common than you think, mainly because people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them.
Wellness
Veterans Wellness Resources
However:
- 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
- 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
- 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
- 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event.
Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events. Biochemical processes and circuits and basic brain structure may play a role, too.
NAMI recognizes that other organizations have drawn distinctions between what diagnoses are considered “mental health conditions” as opposed to “mental illnesses.” We intentionally use the terms “mental health conditions” and “mental illness/es” interchangeably. None of this means that you’re broken or that you, or your family, did something “wrong.”
And for many people, recovery — including meaningful roles in social life, school and work — is possible, especially when you start treatment early and play a strong role in your own recovery process.
Mental illness is not your fault.
Established in 2023 as a 501C3 nonprofit organization, The Harmonetiks Project endeavors to be a beacon of hope and healing for veterans grappling with physical and mental health challenges. Harmonetiks is a unique system that integrates the wisdom of ancient healing arts with contemporary science to foster balance in both the mind and the body. It is not merely an exercise or a routine; it's a way of life.
Through the path of discovery found within personal practice, combined with a training program designed to make one successful at sharing the experience of Harmonetiks effectively, we aim to empower those who wish to discover how to guide others who have yet to begin their own journey to holistic well-being.
Mental Health & Wellness Organizations
Although military personnel are at high risk of mental health problems, research findings indicate that many military personnel and veterans do not seek needed mental health care. Thus it is critical to identify factors that interfere with the use of mental health services for this population, and where possible, intervene to reduce barriers to care. The overarching goal of this review was to examine what is known with regard to concerns about public stigma and personal beliefs about mental illness and mental health treatment as potential barriers to service use in military and veteran populations and to provide recommendations for future research on this topic. Read further...
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Mental Health and Wellness
Children are at the core of everything we do. Clearly children can't be vets, hence the immediate need to stand up a sister org to fund these efforts. The volume of kids we encounter in trap houses and on the dope track is horrifying. We don't simply try to take them away from their parents, we get them and their parents help, let them know they have options beyond living on the track, beyond selling dope, beyond being used as currency and fodder.
We send teams of veterans and volunteers into the most dangerous places in America (and elsewhere), to save addicted and homeless Americans, sex trafficked women, missing and exploited children, and Americans trapped in danger abroad. We can only tell a fraction of our stories publicly, but every dime we raised gets put to immediate good use, as not one of our vets nor volunteers takes a check for going on these missions.
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Evidence-based Therapies / Veterans Affairs
Evidence-based therapies (EBTs) have been shown to improve a variety of mental health conditions and overall well-being. These treatments are tailored to each Veteran’s needs, priorities, values, preferences, and goals for therapy. EBTs often work quickly and effectively, sometimes within a few weeks or months, depending on the nature or severity of your symptoms. Work with your VA provider to choose the treatment options that work best for you. To learn more about EBTs offered at VA and the mental health conditions they are used to treat, explore the information below.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depression (ACT-D)
- Behavioral Activation (BA)
- Behavioral Family Therapy (BFT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression (CBT-D)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use Disorders (CBT-SUD)
- Contingency Management (CM)
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing for PTSD (EMDR-PTSD)
- Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT)
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Problem-Solving Therapy (PST)
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
- Safety Planning (SP)
- Social Skills Training (SST)
- Written Exposure Therapy
Be sure to check with your local VAMC for availability of these programs.
Find Veteans Affairs Locations
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Evidence-Based Therapies
Evidence-based therapies are among the most effective treatments for PTSD. They can include the following — which are in many cases available at a local VA medical center.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) helps Veterans to identify how traumatic experiences have affected their thinking, to evaluate those thoughts, and to change them. Through CPT, Veterans may develop more healthy and balanced beliefs about themselves others, and the world.
Prolonged Exposure (PE) helps Veterans to gradually approach and address traumatic memories, feelings, and situations. By confronting these challenges directly, Veterans may see PTSD symptoms begin to decrease.
Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) helps couples understand the effect of PTSD on relationships and can improve interpersonal communications. Veterans may also experience a change in thoughts and beliefs related to their PTSD and relationship challenges.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps you process and make sense of your trauma. It involves calling the trauma to mind while paying attention to a back-and-forth movement or sound (like a finger waving side to side, a light, or a tone).
Explore more potential treatment options at VA by visiting the Learn About Treatment page.
SSRIs and SNRIs
PTSD may be related to changes in the brain that are linked to our ability to manage stress. Compared with people who don’t have PTSD, people with PTSD appear to have different amounts of certain chemicals (called neurotransmitters) in the brain. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) are types of antidepressant medication that are believed to treat PTSD by putting these brain chemicals back in balance. They do not work as well as trauma-focused psychotherapy, but they can be effective.
Four SSRIs/SNRIs are recommended for PTSD:
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
(Medications have two names: a brand name — for example, Zoloft — and a generic name — for example, sertraline.)
To receive medications for PTSD, patients need to meet with a provider who can prescribe the medications. Many different types of providers, including your family health care provider and some nurses and physician assistants, can prescribe SSRIs and SNRIs for PTSD. You and your provider can work together to determine which medication may be the most effective for you. Learn more about SSRIs and SNRIs and how they compare with psychotherapies.
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Drug/Alcohol Programs
Heroes’ Mile is a substance abuse, post-traumatic stress (PTS), and military sexual trauma (MST) center designed for military service veterans who are experiencing problems with addiction and other invisible wounds of war.
2775 Big John Drive
DeLand Florida 32724
admissions@HeroesMile.com
Administration:
(386) 337-7957
(386) 465-4048
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Arts Programs
Armed Services Arts Partnership creative community where veterans thrive through the arts. We provide free art and comedy classes to veterans, service members, military spouses, family members, and caregivers.
2461 Eisenhower Ave, Floor 2
Alexandria, VA 22314
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Medical Marijuana for PTSD
Cannabis Use and PTSD Among Veterans (VA)
Cannabis use for medical conditions is an issue of growing interest and concern. Some Veterans use cannabis to relieve symptoms of PTSD and several states specifically approve the use of medical cannabis for PTSD. However, research to date does not support cannabis as an effective PTSD treatment, and some studies suggest cannabis can be harmful, particularly when used for long periods of time. Given these concerns, cannabis is not recommended for the treatment of PTSD.
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America’s Warrior Partnership
Partnering with Communities to
Prevent Veteran Suicide
Our mission is to partner with communities to prevent veteran suicide. Our programs accomplish this by starting at the community level and understanding the unique situations of veterans and their families. We connect local veteran-serving organizations with the appropriate resources, services, and partners that they need to support veterans, their families, and caregivers at every stage of veterans’ lives. Our ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for veterans and to end veteran suicide by empowering local communities to serve them proactively and holistically before a crisis occurs.
Our upstream approach to veteran empowerment is a four-step plan to Connect, Educate, Advocate, and Collaborate with veterans, their families, caregivers, and the communities that support them.
info@americaswarriorpartnership.org
1190 Interstate Parkway
Augusta, GA 30909
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Harmonetiks
Nurturing Agency & Wellness in Veterans and First Responders
Empowering our heroes with the strength to navigate through PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Your involvement can weave a new narrative of wellness, healing, and resilience for veterans and first responders who have ardently served our community.
info@theharmonetiksproject.com
Mental Health & Wellness Resources and Contacts
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Mental Health & Wellness - Resource Guide
Find a Veterans Affairs location or in-network community care provider. For same-day care for minor illnesses or injuries, select Urgent Care for facility type. Following are a list of locations and contact information. For Veterans contacting these agencies, any name provided will be your reference individual, and not necessarily that person you will speak with directly.
If you are in crisis, call the
Crisis Hotline at 988 - Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7
We're here to listen and help with problems like
- stress,
- depression,
- anxiety, or
- drug and alcohol use.
For you or someone you care for.
VA Health Connect: 800-877-6976
The Forgotten Veteran Mental Health Resource Guide
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Mental Health & Wellness - Veterans Affairs
Find Veterans Affairs Locations
Find a Veterans Affairs location or in-network community care provider. For same-day care for minor illnesses or injuries, select Urgent Care for facility type. Following are a list of locations and contact information. For Veterans contacting these agencies, any name provided will be your reference individual, and not necessarily that person you will speak with directly.
If you are in crisis, call the
Crisis Hotline at 988 - Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7
We're here to listen and help with problems like
- stress,
- depression,
- anxiety, or
- drug and alcohol use.
For you or someone you care for.
VA Health Connect: 800-877-6976
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) aims to address Veterans’ needs from the moment they transition out of the military through their reintegration into civilian life and beyond. Nothing is more important to VA than supporting the health of the nation’s Veterans and their families. Overall health includes mental well-being, which VA supports with timely access to high-quality, evidence-based mental health care. VA’s mental health programs and services are rooted in several core values:
VA has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options and more — all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters and the general public. Explore the pages below to learn more about a specific mental health topic or to find information specifically tailored to your needs.
As a Veteran, you might experience difficult life events or challenges after leaving the military. We’re here to help no matter how big or small the problem may be. VA has resources to address the unique stressors and experiences that Veterans may face — and we’re just a click, call, text, or chat away.
Browse our catalog of resources for specific types of Veterans and civilians.
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Mental Health & Wellness: Mobile / Crisis Teams
Mobile Crisis Teams can provide mental health engagement, intervention and follow-up support to help people remain connected with treatment providers. The teams may offer a range of services, including:
- Assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Supportive counseling
- Information and referrals, including to community-based mental health services
Request a Team
You can request help from a Mobile Crisis Team if you are concerned about a family member, friend or acquaintance who is experiencing, or at risk of, a psychological crisis. You can also request a team for yourself. To request a team, call 988.
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Mental Health & Wellness - Veteran Specific / National
Find community locations and resources for mental health care providers including Urgent Care. Following are a list of locations and contact information. For Veterans contacting these agencies, any name provided will be your reference individual, and not necessarily that person you will speak with directly.
Veterans Resource Guide - Mental Health
If you are in crisis, call the
Crisis Hotline at 988 - Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7
We're here to listen and help with problems like
- stress,
- depression,
- anxiety, or
- drug and alcohol use.
For you or someone you care for.
VA Health Connect: 800-877-6976
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Mental Health & Wellness - Veteran Specific / Tri-State
Find VA Locations - Tri-state: Find a Veterans Affairs location or in-network community care
provider. For same-day care for minor illnesses or injuries, select Urgent Care for facility type. Following are a list of locations and contact information. For Veterans contacting these agencies, any name provided will be your reference individual, and not necessarily that person you will speak with directly.
Veterans Resource Guide - Mental Health
If you are in crisis, call the
Crisis Hotline at 988 - Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7
We're here to listen and help with problems like
- stress,
- depression,
- anxiety, or
- drug and alcohol use.
For you or someone you care for.
VA Health Connect: 800-877-6976
115 Christopher Columbus Dr
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3551
Main number: 201-435-3055
MH: 973-676-1000, ext. 1421
385 Prospect Ave
Prospect Plaza
Hackensack, NJ 07601-2570
Main number: 201-342-4536
MH: 973-676-1000, ext. 1421
11 Getty Ave
DePaul Ctr Bldg. 275
Paterson, NJ 07503-2650
Main number: 973-247-1666
MH: 973-676-1000, ext. 1421
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Mental Health & Wellness - Veteran Specific / NYC
Find a Veterans Affairs location or in-network community care provider. For same-day care for minor illnesses or injuries, select Urgent Care for facility type. Following are a list of locations and contact information. For Veterans contacting these agencies, any name provided will be your reference individual, and not necessarily that person you will speak with directly.
If you are in crisis, call the
Crisis Hotline at 988 - Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7
We're here to listen and help with problems like
- stress,
- depression,
- anxiety, or
- drug and alcohol use.
For you or someone you care for.
VA Health Connect: 800-877-6976
Margaret Cochran Corbin VA Campus
423 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010-5011
Main number: 212-686-7500
MH: 212-686-7500, ext. 4656
Contact:
James J. Peters VA Medical Center
130 West Kingsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10468-3904
Main Number: 718-584-9000
MH: 718-584-9000, ext. 5172
Contact:
800 Poly Place
Brooklyn, NY 11209-7104
Main number: 718-836-6600
MH: 718-836-6600, ext. 4165
Contact:
55 West 125th Street CRRC
11th Floor, Room 1101
New York, NY 10027-4544
Main number: 646-273-8125
MH: 212-686-7500, ext. 4656
Contact:
Staten Island Community VA Clinic
1150 South Ave
3rd Floor, Suite 301
Staten Island, NY 10314-3404
Main number: 718-761-2973
MH: 718-836-6600, ext. 4165
Contact:
179-00 Linden Boulevard
Queens, NY 11424-1468
Main number: 718-526-1000
MH: 718-836-6600, ext. 4165
Contact:
Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Outpatient Clinic
4701 Queens Blvd
Sunnyside, NY 11104-1623
Main number: 718-741-4800
Contact:
124 New Main Street
Yonkers, NY 10701-4126
Main number: 914-375-8055
MH: 718-584-9000, ext. 5237
Contact:
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Mental Health & Wellness - Community Resources / National
Nurturing Agency & Wellness in Veterans and First Responders
Empowering our heroes with the strength to navigate through PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Your involvement can weave a new narrative of wellness, healing, and resilience for veterans and first responders who have ardently served our community.
info@theharmonetiksproject.com
Children are at the core of everything we do. Clearly children can't be vets, hence the immediate need to stand up a sister org to fund these efforts. The volume of kids we encounter in trap houses and on the dope track is horrifying. We don't simply try to take them away from their parents, we get them and their parents help, let them know they have options beyond living on the track, beyond selling dope, beyond being used as currency and fodder.
We send teams of veterans and volunteers into the most dangerous places in America (and elsewhere), to save addicted and homeless Americans, sex trafficked women, missing and exploited children, and Americans trapped in danger abroad. We can only tell a fraction of our stories publicly, but every dime we raised gets put to immediate good use, as not one of our vets nor volunteers takes a check for going on these missions.
-
Mental Health & Wellness - Community Resources / Tri-State
Heroes’ Mile is a substance abuse, post-traumatic stress (PTS), and military sexual trauma (MST) center designed for military service veterans who are experiencing problems with addiction and other invisible wounds of war.
2775 Big John Drive
DeLand Florida 32724
admissions@HeroesMile.com
Administration:
(386) 337-7957
(386) 465-4048
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Mental Health & Wellness - Community Resources / NYC
Find community locations and resources for mental health care providers including Urgent Care. Following are a list of locations and contact information. For Veterans contacting these agencies, any name provided will be your reference individual, and not necessarily that person you will speak with directly.
Veterans Resource Guide - Mental Health
If you are in crisis, call the
Crisis Hotline at 988 - Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7
We're here to listen and help with problems like
- stress,
- depression,
- anxiety, or
- drug and alcohol use.
For you or someone you care for.
VA Health Connect: 800-877-6976
Crisis Services/Mental Health: Mobile Crisis Teams
Mobile Crisis Teams can provide mental health engagement, intervention and follow-up support to help people remain connected with treatment providers. The teams may offer a range of services, including:
- Assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Supportive counseling
- Information and referrals, including to community-based mental health services
New York Mental Health Hotlines
Around 21% of New Yorkers suffer from some form of mental illness. Around 9% suffer from depression, which is much higher than the national average of around 6%. Furthermore, right around half of New York residents with a mental illness receive no treatment for it. The homelessness and poverty issues faced especially in NYC contribute to poor overall mental health.
Get In Touch - 866-903-3787
VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH COALITION
OF NEW YORK CITY
the Veterans Health Alliance of long island
NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DoHMH) has a number of resources available for individuals experiencing mental health conditions in their day-to-day lives. For a full list please visit their website.
DOHMH Directory of Health Topics
Contact:
The Forgotten Veteran Resource Guide is a collaboration of Veterans Affairs, veteran - centric organizations, and public and community agencies to provide transitional resources and supportive services to transitioning veterans experiencing homelessness with the objective of obtaining sustainable housing and personal wellness. Are you a veteran or do you know of a veteran in need of resources or supportive services? Please click: Veterans Resources Questionnaire
The Forgotten Veteran for providers is a comprehensive guide that amasses all the resources and supportive services in one place. For resource and service providers that would like to have their information added to The Forgotten Veteran website or inclusion in the resource guide, please click: The Forgotten Veterans Provider's Questionnaire