“Our Servicemen and women are serving throughout the world as guardians of peace–many of them away from their homes, their friends and their families. They are visible evidence of our determination to meet any threat to the peace with measured strength and high resolve. They are also evidence of a harsh but inescapable truth–that the survival of freedom requires great cost and commitment, and great personal sacrifice.” – President John F. Kennedy, 1963

May 18, 2019 is Armed Forces Day and we at MHC would like to give special thanks to all of those who serve and have served our country. Below is a listing of resources for Veterans and their Families.

We hope you will join us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) as we honor those who have and continue to serve in the Armed Forces with #ArmedForcesDay @mentalhealthct.

Resources for Veterans and their families

Veterans Crisis LineAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or Text 838255. You can also connect to responders online at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): If you’re a veteran or a veteran family member facing transition-related challenges or have questions, IAVA’s Rapid Response Referral Program (RRRP) can help. Whether you’re thinking about school, need help navigating the VA, or are confronting significant challenges like unemployment, homelessness, legal, financial or mental health struggles, we can get you connected to the quality resources you need to get back on your feet and meet your goals. Visit http://iava.org/rrrp-contact-us for more information.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: If you are experiencing mental health challenges, or suspect a family member would benefit from talking to a mental health provider, VA offers ways to help. Veterans and their family members can connect with support through in-person appointments at local VA facilities, telehealth sessions, and online resources. Learn more about how you or someone you care about can find help, either in your local community or online. Visit https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/index.asp for more information.

Make the Connection : Make the Connection is a public awareness campaign by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides personal testimonials and resources to help Veterans discover ways to improve their lives. Visit https://maketheconnection.net for more information.

Military Benefits: Military Benefits provides targeted and up-to-date military benefits information to military active duty, veterans, spouses and family. Military Benefits covers education, military pay, health care, legal matters, veterans benefits, military discounts, great perks and much more. Visit https://militarybenefits.info for more information.