Free resources for veterans dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use. No referral required. No VA enrollment needed for many services. Help is available right now.
Take the Free Career AssessmentAsking for help is not weakness. In the military you were trained to push through, adapt, and overcome. In civilian life, knowing when to use available resources is the same skill applied differently. These resources are real, most are free, and many don't require a referral or a VA appointment to access today.
Call or text 988 then press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. Available 24/7, confidential, staffed by people who understand.
Many veterans avoid seeking help because they think they need a VA referral, a diagnosis, or to prove they have a "serious enough" problem. None of these are true for the resources below. You can walk in, call, or connect online today.
Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service. English and Spanish. No insurance required.
samhsa.gov →The crisis line also connects veterans struggling with substance use to appropriate resources without judgment.
veteranscrisisline.net →VA provides free substance use treatment for eligible veterans. Walk-in access available at many VA medical centers. No referral needed.
Find VA Near You →VA resource with veteran-specific stories, self-assessment tools, and treatment locator. Built to reduce stigma for veterans seeking help.
Many AA and NA groups are veteran-specific or veteran-welcoming. No cost, no appointment, walk-in to any open meeting.
Community-based counseling centers operated by the VA but separate from VA hospitals. Shorter wait times. Offer substance use counseling.
📞 1-877-927-8387 (Vet Center Call Center)Not just for acute crisis — also for veterans struggling day-to-day who need to talk to someone who understands.
300+ community locations nationwide. Individual and group counseling for PTSD, depression, readjustment. Combat veterans can access without VA enrollment.
📞 1-877-927-8387Network of licensed mental health professionals providing free counseling to veterans and military families. No VA enrollment required.
Free mental health coaching and crisis support for veterans and active duty. Connect with a coach within 24 hours.
Free app from the VA National Center for PTSD. Self-assessment tools, coping skills, and PTSD information on your phone 24/7.
Online therapy with licensed therapists. Military/veteran discounts available. Same-day or next-day access without a referral.
Combat veterans who served after November 11, 1998 can receive FREE VA mental health care for 5 years after separation — regardless of disability status, service-connection, or income. You do not need a referral.
Many VA facilities have same-day mental health services. Ask specifically about same-day or walk-in appointments.
📞 1-877-222-8387 (VA Health)VA Video Connect allows video appointments from home. Often shorter wait times. Request telehealth when scheduling.
If VA wait exceeds 20 days or you're 30+ minutes from a VA facility, you may qualify for VA-paid civilian treatment.
Physical and social activity-based veteran community. Proven to reduce isolation. Chapters in all 50 states.
Service platoons giving veterans purpose and community through volunteer work. Addresses loss of mission post-separation.
Advocacy and peer support. myVAA program connects veterans with specialists for benefits and mental health navigation.
Free, confidential mental health treatment for post-9/11 veterans. Partners with civilian providers nationwide. No VA enrollment, no referral, no cost.
Veteran mental health and addiction issues affect the whole family. These resources exist specifically for military families and caregivers.
Family members can also call to get guidance on helping a veteran in crisis.
Family support info →Mental health resources and support groups for veterans and their families.
For family members caring for veterans with serious service-connected conditions. Support groups, respite care, and monthly stipends.
Mental health and career success are connected. Once you have the support you need, we are here to help with the career side of your transition.
Take the Free Career Assessment