Helping Veterans With Mental Health

Every year, around 200,000 men and women conclude their active-duty service and reintegrate into civilian life. This transition necessitates Veterans and their
families to reorient various aspects of their lives, including employment, finances, housing, social networks, and health. Life transitions are inherently stressful, impacting relationships, support systems, and our sense of self. For Veterans, this shift can be particularly challenging as they move from the structured collective culture of military service to forging a more individualized path in how they live, work, and relate to others. Research indicates that between 44 percent and 72 percent of Veterans experience significant stress during this transition phase. Many of our veterans cope with conditions, like PTSD, that affect their mental and behavioral health.  

Furthermore, data reveals that about half of those separating from military service may not have been connected to resources, benefits, and services available to support them in their transition period. This lack of support can exacerbate even budding mental health concerns and cause behavioral health concerns.  

Alarmingly, a significant portion of Veterans who experience these types of concerns do not seek treatment, with more than half of those with mental illness and over 90 percent of those with substance use disorders going untreated. This underscores the presence of silent suffering within our veteran communities and highlights existing barriers to care, including stigma. 

These resources can get you or your loved one started in the search for mental health resources for veterans. 
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
https://www.secretservice.gov/careers/veteranresources

Behavioral health is fundamental to overall well-being, and it is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that service members, Veterans, and their families are equipped for their transitions and have access to the support they need. One way America’s VetDogs accomplishes this is through our service dog program. We provide service dogs at no cost to the recipient (veterans, active-duty military, and first responders). For many veterans who experience physical and psychological challenges, a service dog helps restore a sense of self-worth and independence. Learn about our process from application to the moment our recipients take their dog home by visiting this page!