Military Families
Supporting America’s service men and women—Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, and Veteran—together with their families and communities by leading efforts to ensure that needed behavioral health services are accessible and that outcomes are positive.
Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA's Roles and Actions 2011 – 2014 (pdf | 778 kbytes)
WHAT WE ARE DOING
Programs
-
SAMHSA’s Support of Behavioral Health Systems Serving Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Fact Sheet: provides support through technical assistance and the promotion of ongoing interagency collaboration
-
Veteran Suicide Prevention Hotline: founded to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the Veterans Hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273- TALK (8255), and press “1” to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline.
- Jail Diversion and Trauma Recovery- Priority to Veterans: supports States, Territories, and Tribes to divert persons with behavioral health disorders, prioritizing veterans from jail to community services.
Data
-
Treatment Facilities Operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Nov 2009 | PDF
-
Major Depressive Episode and Treatment for Depression among Veterans Aged 21 to 39, November 6, 2008
-
Serious Psychological Distress and Substance Use Disorder among Veterans, November 1, 2007
Publications & Multimedia
-
Handbook for Family & Friends of Service Members Before, During and After Deployment: prepares family and friends of military service members with information to better understand and cope with the range of emotions and stress that often accompany deployment. Covers before, during, and after deployment and includes referrals to tools and resources.
-
Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment – A Treatment Improvement Protocol TIP 50: provides guidelines to help substance abuse treatment counselors work with suicidal adult clients. Covers risk factors and warning signs for suicide, core counselor competencies, clinical vignettes, and information for administrators and clinical supervisors.
-
Video Companion to Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment (TIP 50): offers guidance to substance abuse treatment counselors working with persons with suicidal behaviors. Developed with Department of Veterans Affairs with support from SAMHSA.
Grantee Projects
-
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: established to improve access to care, treatment, and service for traumatized children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events.
-
Military Family Resource Area and Knowledge Bank: provides access to information for military family members, mental health and medical providers, educators and others on the stressors facing military families and children. It provides effective options for coping and intervention.
- Military Families Podcast Series and Webinars: a series of 20 short pod casts called the “Essentials for Those Who Care for Military Children and Families”. In addition, a Master Speaker webinar series on topics which include Community Provider collaboration and support to Military Service Member Families, U.S. Army Culture, and the Combat Operational Stress Model.
Resources
- SAMHSA Technical Assistance Packet for Becoming a TRICARE Credentialed Practitioner: provides valuable information for individual providers interested in applying to become a TRICARE Behavioral Health Care Provider.
Last updated: 10/12/2011
25 to 30 percent of the veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have reported symptoms of a mental disorder or cognitive condition.