Resources for Returning Veterans and their Families

Resources for Returning Veterans and Families

GI Bill for a Coding Bootcamp
Since it was established in 1944, the GI Bill has provided over $400 billion in funding to over 25 million United States veterans and their families, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  Additionally, since 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill has provided more than $12 billion in funding to veterans and their families, the U.S. Department of Defense reports. This money has helped veterans fund their education in order to prepare for new career opportunities following their military service.

Veterans and Families Foundation
The Foundation is a national 501 © (3) non-profit, “a community service and support organization, founded and directed by Veterans, parents, grandparents, family members, employers, mental health professionals, academics, philanthropists and community leaders.” The site contains a multitude of useful resources, including links to videos, books and articles, an edited blog for returning veterans, and other useful resources.

Department of Veterans Affairs
National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

National Mental Health America
This website, with resources for returning veterans to help facilitate a healthy and happy reunion with their families and friends, has sections on homecoming, coping with war, and coping with loss. It includes a page that outlines signs that it is time to seek help, such as long bouts of depression, frequent bouts of anxiety or panic, flashbacks and frequent nightmares, domestic violence/abuse, and past mental health problems or past trauma.

PBS – Bill Moyers Journal
This site offers resources for veterans, including articles from Army Times, Washington Post, NPR, and CNN. It includes links to The Soldier’s Heart (video), interviews on stigma as a barrier to accessing mental health services, and more.

SAMHSA
Stigma in the Military: Strategies for Reducing Stigma Among Veterans and Active Duty Personnel.
This site provides a training summary with information on the training’s goals and presenters, and how to obtain materials. The goals are to “provide information on the anti-stigma component of the U.S. Air Force’s suicide prevention program, to discuss stigma reduction efforts within the Veteran’s Administration, and to discuss the value of increasing peer support program efforts.” For an archived recording of the training teleconference and presentation materials please contact the ADS Center at promoteacceptance@samhsa.hhs.gov or (800) 540-0320.

SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center
Major Depression in Children and Adolescents: describes depression and its signs, identifies types of help available, and suggests what parents or other caregivers can do.

Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Treatment, Recovery

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

SAMHSA Resources for returning veterans and their families, including resources to help them find mental health and substance abuse services. The site includes webcasts and conferences; resources for military families coping with trauma; information on mental health transformation trends; and statistics.

National Coalition of Homeless Veterans
Resources online for returning veterans and their families; resources for all homeless veterans, including employment assistance, support for service providers, publications, policy and legislation, VA Grant and per diem profiles, and annual conference.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK. Veterans press 1. This is “a national suicide prevention hotline to ensure veterans in emotional crisis have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors. To operate the Veterans Hotline, the VA partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call the Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and press “1” to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline.”

Department of Defense – Military One Source.com
This 14/7 Resource for military members, spouses and families includes sections for each branch of the military, including the National Guard, their families, and service providers.

Indiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs – Military Family Relief Fund
The Military Family Relief Fund provides emergency assistance to help cover expenses up to $5,000 for such needs as food, medical supplies, transportation, and other family costs associated with deployment.

How to Start a Small Business
This is a Veteran’s SMB Guide with Tools and Financial Resources.

Veterans of Foreign Wars – VFW Department in Indiana
Veterans of Foreign Wars Department in Indiana. Includes multimedia (photos and videos), veterans resources (IN VA hospitals, IN Veterans Affairs, Veterans Law Project, Veterans News), veterans coalitions (American Legion, AmVets, Disabled American Veterans; Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars),

This information was prepared for the DMHA Addiction Advisory Council and State Cultural Competency Workgroup by Barbara Seitz de Martinez, Deputy Director, Indiana Prevention Resource Center (July 2009).

Free resources from the American Addiction Centers (AAC) available for veterans and military members suffering from co-occurring disorders and PTSD:

State of Veteran Mental Health and Substance Abuse in America provides interesting infographics and statistics that relate to veterans’ alcohol consumption and social/emotional/physical issues.

PTSD & Substance Abuse in Veterans discusses what PTSD and why it occurs, additionally how to get help to overcoming the symptoms and struggles of living with PTSD

Veteran Drug & Alcohol Rehab gives statistics of U.S. veterans with substance addiction, how mental health and chronic pain affect addiction and additional support groups for veterans.

Alcohol Rehab Guide
This web guide is focused on educating people on all aspects of the recovery process: from selection of treatment center, to what you can expect during treatment, to entering back into a healthy and fulfilling life.  Trained staff are available 24/7 to help people find an appropriate treatment center.

For those hoping to find help in their local areas they can also use our free directory to locate the nearest treatment facilities or they can use our free text line to start the road to recovery.

USAA Resources provides resources to help veteran-owned businesses grow. As a veteran entrepreneur, you get access to special benefits that can help your small business succeed.

Live Another Day Live Another Day believes in equal access to life-saving mental health and substance use resources. This website provides extensive information on the best resources available.

Detox Local This is An excellent resource that features abundant information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community.