HHSC Highlights Veteran Suicide, PTSD Awareness Month

During Veteran Suicide and PTSD Awareness Month in June, HHSC is sharing mental health resources available to service members, veterans and their immediate family members.

“Research shows about 11–30% of veterans experience PTSD and that PTSD is more common among female veterans,” said George McEntyre, director of Veterans Mental Health Services. “The numbers reenforce the need to identify warning signs and symptoms, so those who do need help can get it.”

Veterans and active-duty service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, can call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line), start a confidential online crisis chat session or send a text message to 838255.

HHSC contracts and partners with the following local, regional and state organizations to provide veterans services:

  • Local mental health authorities and local behavioral health authorities provide peer-to-peer counseling services engaging service members, veterans and their immediate family members who have experienced military-related trauma, are at risk of isolation from support services and may not seek services through traditional channels. Find a peer service coordinator in your community. Veterans can find additional resources on networking, crisis assistance, benefits and women’s health on the MentalHealthTX Veterans webpage.
  • Texas A&M University Health Science Center provides online information and resources through the TexVet program (veterans can select their zip code to find local resources).
  • The Texas Veterans Commission provides training and technical assistance to peer service coordinators, community-based partners and mental health providers. It also coordinates services for justice-involved veterans.
  • HHSC also offers 2-1-1 Texas, which connects Texans to important services, including food, housing, care for mental health and substance use disorders, and emergency services. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211texas.org.
  • If you need to talk with someone right now, mental health crisis services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • The 11th day of each month is Buddy Check Day to remind Texas veterans to check in with other veterans. By getting in touch with others, veterans may enjoy comradery, check on each other’s well-being and connect another veteran with a service they can use.
  • Visit the Texas Veterans Portal to connect with benefits and services earned through your (or a family member’s) military service.

For more resources, visit the HHSC Mental Health Program for Veterans webpage.