Military
Medical - TRICARE
Active Duty Service Members should seek non-emergency treatment at military hospitals or clinics when possible. If care is not available through military hospitals or clinics, Active Duty Service Members must get an authorization and referral for care in another setting.
Non-Active Duty Service Members do not require prior approval or referral to see a mental health professional in an outpatient setting for up to 8 sessions. If more than 8 sessions are required, an individual needs to get authorization and referral for further treatment from their regional contractor.
TRICARE also has a 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273.
For more information about seeking help through TRICARE, go to http://www.tricare.mil/~/media/Files/TRICARE/Publications/FactSheets/Mental_Health_FS.pdf
Veterans Administration
Eligible veterans can get care through the V.A., which offers care in a variety of treatment settings. Learn more and find your nearest VA Facility or PTSD Program or Vet Center by visiting http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/gethelp.asp. Download the “Guide to VA Mental Health Services for Veterans & Families” for detailed information about the kinds of care the VA provides and how and where to access mental health care.
Want more information about how insurance works? How Insurance Works.
Non-Medical - Military OneSource
Active Duty members of the armed services (including National Guard and Reservists, regardless of activation status) and their families can receive free, confidential counseling services for up to 12 sessions through Military OneSource. Non-medical counseling is provided in one of four ways: face-to-face, online, on the phone, or video (similar to Skype or FaceTime). This service is intended to help people find ways of addressing difficulties with relationships, stress management, grief and other issues.
After your 12 free sessions, your counselor will make suggestions about next steps.
24/7 Resources
If you need more immediate or specific assistance in finding help, there are a number of 24/7 resources available:
Military Crisis Line
Talk: Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) and press "1"
Text: Send a message to 838255
Online: Chat online with a trained responder at http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/MilitaryChatTermsOfService.aspx?account=Military%20Chat
Real Warriors Live Chat
Talk: Call 866-966-1020
Online: Chat online with a trained resource consultant at http://www.realwarriors.net/livechat###
If you would like some help figuring out the differences between types of mental health professionals, treatment options, and more, visit /finding-right-mental-health-care-you and /conditions/b4stage4-get-help .
Mental Health America has additional resources for military members and their families at Military Mental Health and a number of military-specific fact sheets are available by searching for “military” at Mental Health Information.
If you would like to try some other options, here are some additional places to go for help:
Local MH Centers - Finding Therapy
MHA affiliates Find an Affiliate