Where to go for Support

No one’s disciplinary or legal situation is the same. Support those you lead by knowing the resources available to those facing actual or potential disciplinary or legal action.

• Ongoing supports, such as from a local chaplain or mental health provider, are available for members who anticipate or are under legal or disciplinary action
• Situational supports, such as from Military OneSource and Military and Family Life Counseling, are appropriate for members who may benefit from brief, confidential, non-medical counseling (e.g., help managing stress, relationships, finances, or housing)
• Transitional supports, such as from inTransition and the Vet Centers, can help members connect with mental health care and/or resources as an investigation concludes and separation from service or a change of duty station is imminent.

When to Offer Support

Members of your unit who have committed a legal or policy violation, are suspected of wrongdoing or under investigation, or have been disciplined, sentenced, or detained may demonstrate a range of emotional and behavioral reactions. Disciplinary and legal processes can take time, and during this interval your unit member may feel abandoned or ostracized by their coworkers and develop fear of consequences (e.g., incarceration, shame, potential impact on career and relationships). Individuals who are pending disciplinary or legal action may be at higher risk for suicide, even if you don’t notice obvious changes in their behavior.

How to Access Support

You can make a referral for members facing disciplinary or legal actions directly using the following contact information:

Resource	Supports Offered	How to Contact
Chaplain	Military chaplains are responsible for tending to the spiritual and moral well-being of service members and their families. Chaplains are not typically licensed clinical counselors and do not provide treatment in their role. They do, however, offer confidentiality and can assist with many life challenges, including those related to work, combat, deployment, marriage and family, substance abuse, grief, and finances.	Find your local chaplain online on Military OneSource’s Military Installations website. Select “Chapels” in the program or service section
Mental Health Clinic	Mental health clinics assist with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health symptoms. Mental health providers help patients regain functioning and achieve well-being.	Find your local clinic online.
Military and Family Life Counseling	Military and family life counselors help service members and their families navigate issues such as improving relationships at home and work, stress management, adjustment difficulties, parenting, and grief or loss. Services are confidential and not reflected in the recipient’s medical record.	Find your local military and family life counselor online in this directory.
Military OneSource	Military OneSource helps service members connect to a wide range of individualized consultations, including coaching and non-medical counseling, available in the local community.	To call, live chat, or connect 24/7 visit Military OneSource.
inTransition	inTransition helps service members connect with care. The program provides coaching tailored to address individual needs, including addressing barriers to care connection, education on mental health conditions, problem-solving, stress management, and information on treatment options.	To call, live chat, or email visit online.
Vet Center	Vet Centers are community-based Veterans Affairs counseling centers not associated with VA medical care that provide a wide range of social and psychological services. Here eligible veterans, service members (including National Guard and Reserve components) and their families may receive professional counseling. Counseling is also offered to service members and veterans to support successful transition from military to civilian life, to active duty, Coast Guard, and to Reserve Component service members who have experienced specific types of trauma.	Check eligibility and find your nearest Vet Center by visiting this national directory.

While not everybody who has legal problems or is under investigation is in crisis or at risk of suicide, an accumulation of risk factors — including legal involvement — may increase suicide risk. If you are concerned about a unit member, including any who expresses thoughts of death or suicide, call, or text 988 the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for help.

AS A LINE LEADER YOU CAN BRIDGE YOUR SERVICE MEMBERS TO THE RIGHT RESOURCES.

Need to Talk?

Contact the Psychological Health Resource Center 24/7 to confidentially speak with trained health resource consultants. Call 866-966-1020 or use the Live Chat.

Remember, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress, resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. For the Veterans/Military Crisis Line, dial 988 and press 1 or text 838255. You can also chat online. For OCONUS calling options and online chat accessible from anywhere in the world, visit the Military Crisis Line website.

Updated March 2025

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