Military Service Members, Veterans and Their Families

Home » Behavioral Health » Military Service Members, Veterans and Their Families

Behavioral Health Services for Military Service Members, Veterans, and their Families

Veterans Crisis Line Logo

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) values your military service. DBHDS staff members, and Community Services Boards statewide, work to ensure that you and loved ones can readily access behavioral health, developmental, and supportive services to reach your wellness goals.

If you are a Military Service Member, or Veteran in a behavioral health crisis (experiencing suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, substance abuse and/or other concerns) please call the confidential Military and Veteran Crisis Line 24/7, 1-800-273-8255 (PRESS 1) to speak to a caring responder. You can also TEXT the Veteran Crisis Line at 838255 for help. Family members, Caregivers, or loved ones can also call on behalf of a Service Member or Veteran.

For assistance finding behavioral health services, peer and family support in Virginia, please contact the Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program at 877-285-1299 or 804-371-4675 (Monday – Friday; 8am – 5pm EST).

VIRGINIA’S ASK THE QUESTION CAMPAIGN

GOAL:  To improve service delivery and intake data accuracy for identified military Service Members, Veterans, and Families (SMVF) in community agencies.

THREE STEPS:

1. ASK “Have you or a family member ever served in the military?”

  • This question should be posed at multiple entry points for community services, i.e. call center, initial assessment, emergency services, clinical and medical appointments, and any other entry points.

2. LINK SMVF with a provider in your agency that has been trained in military cultural competency for needed services.

  • Direct service providers should assess for a connection between military service and service/support needs.

3. COLLABORATE with military/veteran specific resources to meet all service needs of SMVF. 

MILITARY CULTURAL COMPETENCE (MCC): When civilian service providers have an understanding of military culture to include organizational structure, rank, branches of service, core values, and demographics and enhanced ability to communicate and effectively interact with SMVF.

For more information on free/online Military Cultural Competency (MCC) trainings.

VIRGINIA VETERAN AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM

The Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) Program is a partnership between the Virginia Department of Veterans Services the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

VVFS Eligibility:

  • Veterans of any era who are Virginia residents
  • Members of the Virginia National Guard (not in active Federal Service)
  • Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves (not in active Federal Service)
  • Family members of veterans and service members

VVFS Services:

  • Comprehensive assessment of individual and family needs
  • Direct linkages to needed services including medical, behavioral healthcare, veterans benefits, housing, and employment assistance
  • Peer and family support groups
  • Couples workshops and family retreats
  • Assistance to homeless and incarcerated veterans

For more information on VVFS, please visit http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/virginia-veteran-and-family-support/

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) has published a comprehensive Virginia Veterans Resource Guide that outlines employment, education, VA Benefits, behavioral health services, and much more!  Click https://online.flippingbook.com/view/1017958/18 to access the Guide.  For more information on DVS, please visit http://www.dvs.virginia.gov  or call 804-786-0286.

VIRGINIA COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARDS

A Community Services Board (CSB) is the point of entry into Virginia’s publicly-funded system of services for mental health, intellectual disability, and substance abuse services. For a map of CSBs in Virginia, please visit Community Service Boards. CSBs provide pre-admission screening services 24-hours per day, 7 days per week.

VETERAN AND FAMILY RESOURCES

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Treatment Facilities in Virginia are located in VA Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Network (or VISN 6). For more information on VA Medical Centers and other VA treatment facilities in Virginia, please visit  http://www.visn6.va.gov/locations/directions.asp Virginia Veterans may also access VA services in VISN 5 (including Washington D.C. and West Virginia) and VISN 9 (including Tennessee).

Virginia Veterans may also access VA services in VISN 5 (including Washington D.C. and West Virginia) https://www.va.gov/visn5/network.asp and VISN 9 (including Tennessee) https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?id=1009.

Military One Source offers free counseling and supportive services (family, employment, education, financial, legal, military deployment and transition support, etc.) for military service members, transitioning veterans, and family members. Call 1-800-342-9647 or visit http://www.militaryonesource.mil/ .

Virginia Women Veterans can receive specialized services from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, please call 804-786-0571 or visit https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/education-employment/virginia-women-veterans/

Operation Family Caregiver coaches the families of returning service members and veterans to manage the difficulties that come with returning home. OFC is a personalized program, tailored specifically to the struggles of each family. Through proven methods, the program teaches families the skills needed to best navigate their challenges, resulting in stronger and healthier families. To enroll, contact the Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health.For more information, please please call 888-597-0828 or visit https://www.riversideonline.com/en/lifelong-health-and-aging/lifelong-health-and-aging/resources/center-for-excellence-in-aging-and-lifelong-health/caregiver-resources

Veterans Affairs (VA) Coaching Into Care Hotline: 888-823-7458 (Monday – Friday; 8am – 8pm EST) for valuable information on discussing concerns and how to help your loved one seek behavioral health treatment and supports. For more information, please visit http://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/

Veterans Affairs (VA) Homeless Veteran Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 for access to homeless services programs and supports. For more information, please visit http://www.va.gov/homeless/for_homeless_veterans.asp

Virginia 2-1-1 can connect you to additional community resources (emergency shelter, financial assistance, food pantries, and other supportive services), just dial 2-1-1 or search for local resources online at https://www.211virginia.org/consumer/index.php

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

The DVS Veterans Education, Transition, and Employment (VETE) directorate and Virginia Transition Assistance Program (VTAP) can assist transitioning service members, veterans, and family members with access to jobs and education benefits (including G.I. Bill benefits) to pursue their goals. For more information, please visit: https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/education-employment/ .

CONTACT US

For additional information, please contact DBHDS Military and Veterans Affairs Manager Brandi Jancaitis at Brandi Jancaitis.

Military Culture and Suicide Prevention Resources: