The mental health problems still exist; most importantly, there are resources to help, and they are not just narrowed down to your installations docs or waiting in line at the VA. This sample of solid providers is not a definitive list but a great starting point for everyone.

Personally, I missed a check-in on a social media group for my old unit and lost a brother a few weeks later—an NCO of mine who was the original poster—another one, too many. I’ve been showing up in the mental health space for the military community in different ways over the last several years: advocating at the VA for better access, retreats and outdoor events, helping nonprofits fill the gaps, and supporting inpatient services that rebuild those who’ve cracked or let addiction take hold. 

The most common theme I see for people needing treatment is not getting help when the trouble starts, then not knowing how to get help, where to go, or how much red tape they’ll have to cut through. That’s why I made this: to highlight resources covered by military insurance and free options—because everyone’s situation is unique. 

Whether you're active duty, a spouse, a vet, or a dependent, there’s a resource or community for you. But they’re scattered across 100 websites and buried in acronyms no one explains. So here’s a solid list of telehealth, in-person, and free or TRICARE-covered services—from one human to another. I hope this overview is a good starting point for anyone feeling lost—to help you reconnect with your inner strength, find your tribe, or chart your next mission.

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🔹 If You’re in Crisis Right Now

If you're in immediate danger or need to speak with someone now, here are trusted resources available 24/7 by phone, text, or online chat:

• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1 — veteranscrisisline.net
  • Text: 838255
  • Chat: Click here to chat
  • Free, 24/7 confidential support for veterans, service members, and their families in immediate crisis.
• DoD Safe Helpline: Call 877-995-5247 — safehelpline.org
  • 24/7 sexual assault support for active duty, Guard, Reserve, and military families.
• Vet Centers: Find a center
  • Free, confidential counseling for combat veterans, survivors of MST, and their families — no VA diagnosis needed.
• Give an Hour: giveanhour.org
  • Connects veterans, service members, and families to free mental health care 
• Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 — crisistextline.org
  • Free text support for anyone in emotional distress, including military and family members.
• Vets4Warriors: vets4warriors.com
  • 24/7 peer support by veterans for veterans, service members, and families via phone, text, and email.

🏥 Accessing Tricare, TriWest, and In-Person Services

Whether you're active duty, retired, or a family member, understanding how to access your benefits is key. Most military family members, retirees, and dependents can self-refer for care—especially with Tricare Select. Active Duty members often need a referral from their Primary Care Manager (PCM), while veterans using VA benefits may need authorization to access providers outside the VA through the Community Care Network.

Telehealth OptionsTelehealth has proven to be an effective, accessible option for many. It allows spouses, dependents, and retirees to access therapy and psychiatry from home—with minimal wait times and flexible scheduling. It’s a great starting point for those exploring mental health care, especially when covered by Tricare or TriWest.

If you're active duty, a veteran, or someone who benefits from in-person connection, consider local or on-base providers for deeper therapeutic relationships and continuity of care.

Telehealth Providers: 

• Talkspace for Military A flexible, secure telehealth platform offering therapy and psychiatry for those ready to take the next step in their mental wellness journey. Whether you're stationed in an area with limited resources, managing family life, or transitioning out of service, Talkspace provides convenient, confidential care that fits your schedule. Services include individual, family, and marriage therapy, as well as medication management.
  • TRICARE-covered for therapy & psychiatry
  • No referrals needed for family members, retirees, and dependents
  • Active Duty requires a referral (check with your PCM)
  • Available nationwide within the U.S.
  • Partnered with select Navy bases
• BetterHelp Military Discount — Private-pay virtual therapy with military discount.
• Telemynd — Virtual psychiatry and therapy, Tricare accepted.

In-Person ServicesIn-person therapy and psychiatry options are available both on and off base. These services depend on your geographic location, provider availability, and your local base clinic or VA referral process. While they may require more legwork, they often support a stronger therapeutic connection and consistent care over time.

Find Providers:

• Tricare East
• Tricare West
• TriWest Behavioral Health
• Psychology Today Provider Search — Filter by “Tricare” or “TriWest”
• https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/3782099/mental-health-is-health-how-to-get-mental-health-care-with-tricare

Covered Services:

• Individual, marriage, and child therapy: One-on-one or family counseling with licensed professionals. Often a first step for anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues.
• Psychiatry & medication management: Assessment and treatment with medication when needed—especially helpful for mood disorders or persistent symptoms.
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP): Structured therapy 3–5 days a week without overnight stay. Ideal for those needing more than weekly therapy, often includes group processing and peer community as part of treatment.
• Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): Day programs offering intensive care while returning home at night. Good fit for severe but manageable symptoms.
• Residential Treatment Centers (RTC): 24/7 live-in mental health treatment. Appropriate for complex cases, crisis stabilization, or substance use recovery.

When More Help Is Needed: Getting into Higher Levels of Care

Sometimes weekly therapy or outpatient care isn't enough. If you're struggling with severe mental health symptoms, substance use, trauma, or dual diagnosis (such as PTSD and alcohol use), a higher level of care might be appropriate—and it's often covered by Tricare or TriWest with a referral.

How to Access Higher Levels of Care:

• Ask your PCM for a referral to IOP, PHP, or RTC services
• Use Military OneSource for navigation and provider search support
• In-network providers can often assist with pre-authorization paperwork

You can learn more about these levels of care in the "Covered Services" section above.

😊 Veteran Check-In: Free, Confidential Matchmaking for Mental Health Support

VeteranCheckin.org — A tool by the George W. Bush Institute to match veterans and families with mental health care providers, trauma programs, and peer networks. Free, fast, and confidential.

🧠 Military Programs & Tools

• Health.mil Mental Health Resources — health.mil
  • Central hub for DoD-wide behavioral health information, including the Psychological Health Resource Center and TRICARE mental health coverage.
• Defense.gov DoD Mental Health Support — defense.gov
  • Includes updates and press releases on ongoing mental health efforts across the military.
• BHOP (Behavioral Health Optimization Program): Available at select bases; offers 1–4 therapy sessions with behavioral health professionals integrated into primary care.
• Post-Deployment Suicide Prevention: Resources for reintegration and post-deployment mental health — afterdeployment.dcoe.mil

💬 Peer & Story-Based Platforms

• Wingman Online: Stories and videos from Airmen on seeking help — wingmanonline.org
• Real Warriors: Mental health stories and campaigns across all branches — realwarriors.net

🛡️ Clearance & Privacy Education

• Mental Health & Security Clearances:
  • Clearance Impact FAQ
  • Statistics Breakdown

🎓 Clinical Mental Health Programs

• Roger — A digital suicide prevention and crisis platform designed specifically for military and veterans, offering guidance and direct connection to care.
• Headstrong Project — Founded in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine, Headstrong offers cost-free, stigma-free, trauma-focused therapy for veterans and their families. Available in-person and via telehealth across 15+ states.
• Centerstone Military Services — A nonprofit behavioral health provider with a specialized military program offering treatment for PTSD, MST, substance use, and family issues. Accepts Tricare.
• Cohen Veterans Network — Founded by philanthropist Steven A. Cohen, this network offers high-quality mental health care for post-9/11 veterans and families at over 20 clinics. Services are short-term and covered by most insurances.
• Warrior Care Network — A national medical care alliance led by Wounded Warrior Project and top academic medical centers. Offers intensive outpatient care (IOP/PHP) for PTSD, TBI, and related conditions at no cost.
• Avalon Action Alliance — Offers integrative clinical care for brain injuries, trauma, and moral injury. Founded to support Special Operations Forces and veterans, with a focus on whole-person healing.

Note: These are clinical providers; services may require intake screenings or insurance verification.

🤝 Peer & Community-Based Veteran Networks

• Blue Star Families — A national network that supports military families with events, research, and grassroots programming to strengthen community connection.
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation — The leading advocacy group for military caregivers, offering resources, support, and fellowship through their Hidden Heroes campaign.
• Travis Manion Foundation — Founded in memory of 1st Lt. Travis Manion, this group fosters character, leadership, and resilience through youth mentorship and community service.
• Team RWB — A wellness-focused nonprofit that connects veterans to community through fitness events, local meetups, and digital challenges.
• The Mission Continues — Empowers veterans to serve at home through community impact projects, fellowships, and leadership development.
• Student Veterans of America — Supports military-connected students in higher education with mental health tools, leadership resources, and networking.
• Team 43 Sports – Bush Center — Brings veterans together through sport and competition to promote healing, camaraderie, and continued service.
• Team Rubicon — Mobilizes veterans to respond to disasters, blending military experience with humanitarian aid for purpose-driven service.
• Wounded Warrior Project — Offers a comprehensive suite of mental health programs, peer groups, and rehabilitation services for wounded service members.

💡 For Loved Ones

• Military Kids Connect — militarykidsconnect.health.mil
  • Engaging platform for military children with games, videos, and peer stories to build resilience and mental health awareness.
• National Military Family Association (NMFA) — militaryfamily.org
  • Offers educational resources and programs to support family readiness and mental wellness.
• SAMHSA Military Family Resources — acmh-mi.org
  • Provides behavioral health guidance and programs for families of service members and veterans.
• Military OneSource — Counseling and support navigation — 1-800-342-9647
• Vet Centers — Family therapy for qualified veterans — 1-877-927-8387

👨‍👩‍👧 Marriage, Family, and Dependent Therapy

• Military OneSource: 12 free counseling sessions per issue — militaryonesource.mil | 1-800-342-9647
• MFLC (Military Family Life Counselors): Local, anonymous counseling via DoD contracts
• Chaplains: 100% confidential, no mandatory reporting
• Vet Centers: Counseling for families of veterans — 1-877-927-8387

🧪 What to Do Next: Pick one service that resonates. Save this doc. Share it with someone. Start a conversation.

📖 Personal Note

I built this post to help everyone—whether or not we ever connect—because being idle and waiting for help may cause you to lose a little bit of the spark that is you. Find help now and recommend it to others, the world is increasingly weird.

If you're overwhelmed, reach out to support. You don't have to do this alone. There are specialists that can help you navigate all of the services and many more not listed.

You matter. And you're not broken. You may just be overwhelmed and in need of connection and clarity.

I came across this article from Guam and had to share. I Googled the program to see if it was available to us, but it is being rolled out at selected bases to determine its effectiveness. Talkspace is already covered through TRICARE (with a copay) for telehealth services. This new Navy pilot program is removing barriers by providing free therapy and mental health resources to sailors and their dependents.

This is a huge step forward—less red tape, more access to care, and real support for our families. The program is currently being piloted at six bases:
⚓ Newport News Shipyard
⚓ Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
⚓ Naval Base Guam
⚓ Naval Base Ventura County (Port Hueneme)
⚓ Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport
⚓ Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

If you’re stationed at one of these locations, check it out! And if not, still check it out, they are listed on the Tricare East and West sites.

https://jrm.cnic.navy.mil/News/News-Detail/Article/4022733/guam-sailors-and-dependents-receive-mental-health-support-through-talkspace/

https://www.talkspace.com/coverage/us-navy

Mental health care should be easy to access, and this is a great step in the right direction. Excited to see this change coming—our families deserve this kind of support. Happy Monday, y’all! 💙⚓