Military service creates mental health risks unlike those faced by civilians: combat trauma, moral injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST), the transition to civilian life, and a culture that powerfully stigmatizes help-seeking. Veterans experience PTSD at 2-3 times the rate of civilians, and veteran suicide rates remain significantly elevated above civilian rates despite years of intensive prevention efforts.
The VA provides free or low-cost mental health care to eligible veterans, including evidence-based PTSD treatment (Prolonged Exposure, CPT, and EMDR are all available), substance use treatment, MST services, and crisis intervention. VA eligibility depends on service history, discharge status, and other factors — apply at va.gov/health-care. Wait times at VA facilities vary; the VA Community Care program allows veterans to see outside providers when VA care is unavailable within access standards.
MST — sexual assault or harassment experienced during military service — affects approximately 1 in 4 women veterans and 1 in 100 men veterans. The VA provides free MST-related mental health care regardless of other VA eligibility status. Every VA facility has an MST coordinator. Civilian treatment options through VA Community Care are also available for MST survivors who prefer them.
Moral injury — the psychological damage from participating in, witnessing, or failing to prevent events that violate one's moral code — is distinct from PTSD and increasingly recognized as a significant mental health concern for combat veterans. Standard PTSD treatments partially address moral injury; specialized approaches including Adaptive Disclosure therapy and moral injury-focused CBT are emerging and increasingly available.
Veterans Crisis Line: Call or text 988, then press 1. Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. Staffed 24/7 by VA staff specially trained to work with veterans. Completely confidential — your VA benefits and military record are not affected by contacting the crisis line.