By Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph.D., Founder & President of Give an Hour
Give an Hour is a national nonprofit organization delivering free mental health counseling services to active duty service members, members of our National Guard and Reserve forces, and Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who have separated or retired from any branch of military service. In addition to these military personnel and their spouses and children, Give an Hour offers services to parents, siblings, and unmarried partners. Through our network of nearly 5,000 providers nationwide, we aim to provide easy access to skilled professionals offering a wide range of services including:
- individual, marital, and family therapy
- substance abuse counseling
- treatment for post-traumatic stress
- counseling for individuals with traumatic brain injuries
Returning combat Veterans suffering from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress are not routinely seeking the mental health treatment they need. Many fear that seeking mental health services will jeopardize their career or standing. Given the military culture’s emphasis on confidence, strength, and bravery, others are reluctant to expose their vulnerabilities to counselors who are often military personnel themselves. By providing free and confidential services that are separate from the military establishment, we offer an essential option for men and women who might otherwise fail to seek or receive appropriate services.
AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Family members in need of services can visit www.giveanhour.org and use a zip-code finder to locate a provider in his or her area. Give an Hour is a participant in the AW2 Community Support Network.
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