Mental Health for Veterans & Their Families
Every day, brave service members and their families make sacrifices on and off the battlefield to protect our nation’s freedom. Yet, more service members than ever before are returning home with the visible and invisible wounds of war, which range from posttraumatic stress disorder to depression and suicide.
Their families struggle as well. Spouses, friends, parents, grandparents, siblings and children with a parent in the military may suffer from anxiety due to fears that their loved one will be hurt or injured during deployment. Others may develop behavioral or physical problems stemming from their loved one’s long-term absence. The Missouri Department of Mental Health is committed to serving all veterans and their families.
ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT HOW YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE ARE FEELING?
If you or a Veteran you know is in crisis, please seek immediate support! The Veterans Crisis Line provides confidential help to Veterans and their families. Dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 to talk to someone NOW.
Suicide Prevention Information
- To suicide prevention information and live chat.
- The DOD/VA Suicide Outreach - Resources for Suicide Prevention site has information on how to recognize the signs that someone is thinking about taking their life and how to help.
Self- test to recognize mental health and substance abuse problems
- The Military Mental Health website contains some helpful self- tests that may identify some common problems that veterans and their families experience and, if needed, link to help.
FINDING HELP FOR MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS IN MISSOURI
If you or your loved one is struggling because of mental health problems including alcohol and drug use professional help may be needed. Professional counsellors who are sensitive to the problems that veterans and their families experience are available throughout Missouri:
If you are searching for a mental health professional
If you do not have Tri-Care
- For alcohol, drug abuse and gambling
- For mental health problems
- For information and resources for children from military families
PROTECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
The connection between injury, chronic disease, and mental health problems are very real. Injury rates for both intentional (e.g., homicide) and unintentional (e.g., motor vehicle injuries) injuries are 2 to 6 times higher among people with a history of mental health problems than for the overall population. It is as important to take care of your mental health as it is to take care of our physical health.
Information on preventing mental health problems before they start
Information and resources veterans and their families find helpful on a variety of topics
- Military OneSource
- Army OneSource
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Missouri Veterans Commission
- Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
- Get the most out of your GI Bill benefits
- Army wounded Warrior Program
- Citizen Soldier Support Program (CSSP)
- Members of the Missouri National Guard seeking substance abuse services
- National Guard Substance Abuse Assessment/Evaluation Contact List
INFORMATION FOR PROVIDERS
- Webinars to learn more about serving veterans and their families
- Bridging Military and Community Services Systems | Instructions
- Becoming a Tricare provider – information for mental health professionals
- What Military Patients Want Civilian Providers to Know
- National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
- Children of Military Service Members Resource Guide
- SAMHSA New Tools for Shared Deicision Making
Look What's New
- Vets 4 Warriors
- Veterans Affairs Mobile - Department of Veterans Affairs
- Childrens of Military Service Members Resource Guide