The Department of Defense (DoD) provides all active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families with a variety of counseling services and suicide prevention programs. In addition, military installations conduct mandatory screenings for mental health conditions and other health concerns via the Post Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA) within six months following return from overseas deployments. Installation support programs also provide referrals for assessment, treatment, and other suicide prevention and counseling services as needed.

The Department of Defense (DoD) provides all active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families with a variety of counseling services and suicide prevention programs. In addition, military installations conduct mandatory screenings for mental health conditions and other health concerns via the Post Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA) within six months following return from overseas deployments. Installation support programs also provide referrals for assessment, treatment, and other suicide prevention and counseling services as needed.

Active duty service members and their families can receive counseling through Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) or through TRICARE providers. Military chaplains provide counseling and referral services for any service member experiencing signs of suicidality or other mental health problems.

Non-medical counseling services are best used as a preventative step prior to someone becoming suicidal. Non-medical counseling is designed to address general conditions of living, such as improving relationships at home and at work, stress management, adjustment issues (like those related to returning from a deployment), marital problems, parenting, and grief and loss issues.  Non-medical counseling is generally short-term and solution-focused. Active duty National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families may receive up to twelve, free, face-to-face counseling sessions per person, per issue from Military OneSource (MOS) or the Military and Family Life Consultants (MFLCs), as well as counseling from chaplains and installation and National Guard/Reserve Family Support Centers. If risk for suicide or other mental health issues are identified during the course of counseling with an MOS counselor or an MFLC, clients will be referred to an MTF, TRICARE, or local community resource for immediate professional, medical mental health treatment.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has Veterans Centers that provide counseling services to assess and treat mental health issues. The Centers have specifically trained suicide prevention staff and offer Readjustment Counseling Services which can be accessed at over 200 clinics in the United States. These counseling services target the transitional issues that are likely to occur during return from deployment. National Guardsmen and Reservists may also access counseling services through their private health insurance providers and through their local community mental health services.

The Family Advocacy Program (FAP) is another supportive resource for service members and their families. Issues related to deployment and other life stressors can cause significant problems in relationships and family functioning, sometimes contributing to domestic abuse and child abuse. FAP assesses, refers, and provides counseling for families experiencing domestic abuse or child abuse. If FAP identifies someone as being suicidal, they refer the individual to an MTF, TRICARE, or local community resource for immediate professional, medical mental health treatment.

Active duty service members and their families can receive counseling through Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) or through TRICARE providers. Military chaplains provide counseling and referral services for any service member experiencing signs of suicidality or other mental health problems.

Non-medical counseling services are best used as a preventative step prior to someone becoming suicidal. Non-medical counseling is designed to address general conditions of living, such as improving relationships at home and at work, stress management, adjustment issues (like those related to returning from a deployment), marital problems, parenting, and grief and loss issues.  Non-medical counseling is generally short-term and solution-focused. Active duty National Guard and Reserve service members, DoD civilian personnel designated as Civilian Expeditionary Workforce members and their families may receive up to twelve, free, face-to-face counseling sessions per person, per issue from Military OneSource (MOS) or the Military and Family Life Consultants (MFLCs), as well as counseling from chaplains and installation and National Guard/Reserve Family Support Centers. If risk for suicide or other mental health issues are identified during the course of counseling with an MOS counselor or an MFLC, clients will be referred to an MTF, TRICARE, or local community resource for immediate professional, medical mental health treatment.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has Veterans Centers that provide counseling services to assess and treat mental health issues. The Centers have specifically trained suicide prevention staff and offer Readjustment Counseling Services which can be accessed at over 200 clinics in the United States. These counseling services target the transitional issues that are likely to occur during return from deployment. National Guardsmen and Reservists may also access counseling services through their private health insurance providers and through their local community mental health services.

The Family Advocacy Program (FAP) is another supportive resource for service members and their families. Issues related to deployment and other life stressors can cause significant problems in relationships and family functioning, sometimes contributing to domestic abuse and child abuse. FAP assesses, refers, and provides counseling for families experiencing domestic abuse or child abuse. If FAP identifies someone as being suicidal, they refer the individual to an MTF, TRICARE, or local community resource for immediate professional, medical mental health treatment.

Service members may have co-pays when accessing care through TRICARE. The co-pay is determined by the type of plan and service required. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers no cost services to those who qualify. Military Treatment Facilities, Military OneSource, and the Marriage and Family Life Consultant Program are all free for service members or family members. Community mental health services often use a sliding scale for fees, basing the fee on the client's ability to pay.

Service members may have co-pays when accessing care through TRICARE. The co-pay is determined by the type of plan and service required. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers no cost services to those who qualify. Military Treatment Facilities, Military OneSource, and the Marriage and Family Life Consultant Program are all free for service members or family members. Community mental health services often use a sliding scale for fees, basing the fee on the client's ability to pay.

Counseling services through Military OneSource are typically provided within several days of the referral. Military and Family Life Consultants can often see a client within a short time frame as well. Mental health concerns requiring urgent or emergent care are usually addressed very quickly.

Counseling services through Military OneSource are typically provided within several days of the referral. Military and Family Life Consultants can often see a client within a short time frame as well. Mental health concerns requiring urgent or emergent care are usually addressed very quickly.