The Department of Veterans
Affairs, veterans groups and mental health organizations want Afghanistan
veterans to know one thing: You are not alone. In a wave of press releases
Monday, the VA and veterans groups urged active-duty and former service members
to reach out to comrades in arms, family members, friends and organizations if
they are feeling a crisis of faith over their sacrifices in Afghanistan, which
has been overrun by the Taliban following the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces.
"Veterans may question the
meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. They
may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service.
It's normal to feel this way," VA officials said in a press release.
"Act. Get help or give help," wrote a coalition of more than 30
military and veterans organizations, including Blue Star Families, Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America, and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. "Reach
out to teammates and fellow military- or veteran-connected family members and
friends. Check in on them.” With distressing images on television of Afghans
clinging to the outside of an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III as it took off
from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, mental health providers who
treat military personnel and veterans have gone on alert, urging those with
symptoms of post-traumatic stress or feelings of despair, frustration or anger
to seek help.
Here is a list of VA resources
for veterans needing mental health care and support:
Veterans Crisis Line. If
you are having thoughts of suicide or need to speak immediately with someone
for a mental health event, call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.
VA Medical Centers.
Emergency mental health care can be obtained at local VA medical centers at any
time, regardless of a veteran's discharge status or enrollment.
Vet Centers.
Community-based counseling, staffed by veterans, is available at these centers.
VA Women Veterans Call Center.
Call or text 1-855-829-6636 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and
Saturday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
VA Caregiver Support Line.
Call 1-855-260-3274 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time
VA self-help apps. Tools
can help veterans handle common reactions such as stress, sadness and anxiety,
and track symptoms
Additional resources are
available:
RallyPoint. A social
network for military service members, veterans and family members.
Tragedy Assistance Program for
Survivors. Survivors can request peer mentors.
Together We Served.
Connects service members and vets with others in their units.
George W. Bush Institute.
The institute's Check In program supports veterans who need help, through the
website or at 630-522-4904.
Elizabeth Dole Foundation.
The Hidden Heroes program provides assistance to caregivers.
American Red Cross Military
Veteran Caregiver Network. Offers peer support and mentoring.
Team Red, White & Blue.
Hosts hundreds of events weekly.
Student Veterans of America.
Provides support on college campuses for veterans.
Team Rubicon. A disaster
response organization made up of veterans.
Cohen Veterans Network.
Provides no-cost counseling to service members, veterans and their family
members in major cities.
Support also is available through veterans service organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS and others. Even if medical assistance or formal help is not needed, these organizations urge former service members to get involved, volunteer with others or simply reach out to their fellow veterans. "Our shared connections are invaluable and we encourage our members to perform buddy checks to help one another process their emotions and connect with resources," DAV National Commander Andy Marshall said in a statement Monday.
^ With the Fall of Afghanistan now complete it's important to repost these numbers for those that need help with all of this. ^
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