HHSC Highlights Mental Health Support for Veterans, Service Members

June is Veteran Suicide and PTSD Awareness Month, and HHSC is reminding Texans about the mental health resources available to service members, veterans and their families.

“This month is a great time to reach out to family and friends that serve or served in the military, see how they’re doing and offer assistance,” said George McEntyre, director of HHSC Veterans Mental Health Services. “Remember that, for some veterans, feeling unsupported after a traumatic event can be worse than the event itself.”

Texas veterans have access to numerous resources including:

  • Peer-to-Peer Counseling: Local coordinators provide peer-to-peer counseling services engaging service members, veterans and their family members. Veterans can find additional resources on networking, crisis assistance, benefits and women’s health on the MentalHealthTX Veterans webpage.
  • TexVet Program: 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.
  • Texas Veterans Commission: 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.
  • 2-1-1 Texas: HHS offers 2-1-1 Texas to connect Texans to important services including food, housing, care for mental health and substance use disorders, and emergency services. Call 2-1-1 or visit the 2-1-1 Texas website.
  • Buddy Check Day: 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 can enjoy camaraderie, check on each other’s well-being and connect someone in need with a service they can use.
  • Veterans Crisis Line: 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.
  • Texas Veterans Portal: Connect with benefits and services earned through your or a family member’s military service through the online portal.
  • Veterans Affairs Suicide Prevention Program: Suicide prevention coordinators work with behavioral health providers and community organizations to assist veterans who are managing emotional or mental health crises.
  • Veterans Affairs Make the Connection Program: Learn more about experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, treatment options, self-help tools and resources to help you reconnect and find hope.

If you need to talk with someone right now, services are available 24/7 on the HHSC Mental Health Crisis Services webpage. For more resources, visit the HHSC Mental Health Program for Veterans webpage.