Can I use VA mental health care without enrolling?

Yes — Vet Centers provide free counseling to combat veterans, MST survivors, and bereaved family members without VA enrollment. For full VA medical center care, you typically need to enroll, but enrollment is straightforward and most veterans qualify.

What is the Veterans Crisis Line?

Dial 988 and press 1 — or text 838255 — to reach a Veterans Crisis Line responder, free and confidential, 24/7. Responders are trained specifically in veteran issues, and many are veterans themselves.

Can family members of veterans get help?

Yes. Vet Centers offer counseling to family members of combat veterans. The VA's Caregiver Support Program offers training, counseling, and respite for family caregivers of post-9/11 veterans with serious injuries.

Veterans Mental Health Resources & VA Care

Every US veteran is eligible for some level of free VA mental health care. The Veterans Crisis Line (call 988 and press 1, or text 838255) is staffed by responders trained to support veterans, 24/7. Vet Centers — community-based readjustment counseling centers — provide free counseling to combat veterans, military sexual trauma survivors, and bereaved family members, with no enrollment paperwork required.

VA medical centers offer the full spectrum of mental health care: therapy, medication management, PTSD specialty programs, substance use treatment, inpatient psychiatric care, and homeless veteran services. This directory lists VA facilities, Vet Centers, and veteran-friendly community providers across all 50 states.

Related directories

Veterans Mental Health Resources & VA Care by state

Frequently asked questions

Can I use VA mental health care without enrolling?: Yes — Vet Centers provide free counseling to combat veterans, MST survivors, and bereaved family members without VA enrollment. For full VA medical center care, you typically need to enroll, but enrollment is straightforward and most veterans qualify.
What is the Veterans Crisis Line?: Dial 988 and press 1 — or text 838255 — to reach a Veterans Crisis Line responder, free and confidential, 24/7. Responders are trained specifically in veteran issues, and many are veterans themselves.
Can family members of veterans get help?: Yes. Vet Centers offer counseling to family members of combat veterans. The VA's Caregiver Support Program offers training, counseling, and respite for family caregivers of post-9/11 veterans with serious injuries.