Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Clear Your Browser Cache

This website has recently undergone changes. Users finding unexpected concerns may care to clear their browser's cache to ensure a seamless experience.

DHA's E-Caregiver Directory Puts Resources at Your Fingertips

Image of Woman on left stretching her husband's left arm and right leg. Ida Malone helps her husband, Navy Chief Petty Officer Averill Malone, stretch before bicycling during the Navy’s training camp for Department of Defense’s Warrior Games at Ventura County Naval Station Port Hueneme in Oxnard, California. Malone is the caregiver for her husband, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. The new electronic Caregiver Resource Directory, from the Defense Health Agency, provides caregivers with thousands of resources available at their fingertips. (DOD News photo by EJ Hersom)

The Defense Health Agency's electronic Caregiver Resource Directory provides more than 2,000 resources for caregivers of wounded warriors within three taps on their mobile phone, their computer, or tablet.

"When we update the NRD with new resources, they can be immediately added to the eCRD with just a check box," said Jonathan Morris, with DHA's Warrior Care Recovery Care Programs Operations, highlighting just one of its user-friendly features.

Other eCRD features include:

  • Simple searchability through navigations and links
  • No heavy scrolling
  • Single page content printing
  • Hyperlinks to each resource

"The old version was a PDF and required people to scroll up and down. If they wanted to pull a specific page, they needed to download the complete directory," Morris pointed out.

A hard copy of the Caregiver Resource Directory was launched in 2015, updated yearly, and has had more than 300,000 free copies distributed, he said.

Taking the Weight Off Relocation

There are many services and resources available to caregivers and their families if they have to relocate, so that the hand-off can go as smoothly as possible.

"There are direct links to each of the military service relocation programs that are highlighted by location," Morris said.

He added that the NRD and the eCRD connect relocating caregivers and families to "services and agencies to help them settle in and give them access to virtual support through organizations such as the American Red Cross Military and Veterans Caregiver Network."

"They can also reach out to the NRD by email at infoNRD.osd@mail.mil, and the content team will assist with finding resources" down to local community churches, Morris explained.

Self-Care and Crisis Care

Caregiving can be a 24/7/365 responsibility, and caregivers need to take care of themselves to be able to continue their roles without burning out.

For Davis, "I'm always looking at ways for rest and relaxation; this helps protect my caregiver mental health and well-being."

She's also used the Veteran Spouse Network and has participated in caregiver retreats at an equestrian therapy ranch, which has programs for wounded warriors and their families. She said these programs add to her "toolkit" of self-care.

Additionally, crises can arise, and caregivers may have an immediate need for resources. "Some caregivers need that information right now," Davis said.

For other caregivers, challenges could be "everything from mental health, to employment, to education," Davis said, adding: "Caregivers need so much, and they just never know what kind of a situation they'll be in."

Top Searches

Some of the most commonly searched resources in the eCRD and NRD include:

  • Access to health care for caregivers
  • Guides to community resources
  • Caregiver resources for family members with traumatic brain injury
  • VA specialty resources for caregivers
  • Mental health support services for children of caregivers

You also may be interested in...

Article Around MHS
May 26, 2023

Walter Reed Expert Shares Five Ways to Prioritize Mental Health

Dr. Diaz discusses the importance of mental fitness with U.S. Army Pvt. 2 Kaliyah Rowan at the Mental Fitness Information table during Staff Resiliency Week at Walter Reed. Diaz says prioritizing mental health is key to building resilience, and shared five ways staff members can do just that in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. (Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jesse Sharpe, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center)

In today's fast-paced health care environment, it's more important than ever to prioritize mental health to build resilience, and in honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month and Staff Resiliency Week at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Dr. Kristine Diaz, a personnel psychologist, shares five ways staff members can prioritize their ...

Article Around MHS
May 22, 2023

New Mental Health Care Initiative Improves Access to Care and Readiness

A room plaque for the 341st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron mental health flight is pictured inside the base clinic June 23, 2021, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. The mental health flight offers mental health services to active duty members and manages the Family Advocacy and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heather Heiney)

For more than a year, the Air Force Medical Service has been rolling out Mental Health Targeted Care, an initiative that helps Airmen and Guardians understand all of the available options for support and connects them to the right resource either in a mental health clinic or outside the military hospital with another supporting agency that best meets ...

Article Around MHS
May 5, 2023

Brandon Act Aims to Improve Mental Health Support

The Brandon Act

Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr., undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, signed a policy today to initiate implementation of the Brandon Act and improve the process for service members seeking mental health support.

Article Around MHS
Apr 17, 2023

Defense Public Health Psychologist Offers Tips to Help Children Cope With Change

Defense Public Health experts say it’s important for parents to maintain a healthy and active attachment with their children by spending at least 20 minutes a day together. This can help military kids and families cope with life changes, like military moves. (Graphic illustration by Graham Snodgrass)

While military kids get to experience many unique and exciting things, they also face many challenges as a result of their parents' service. We've got some expert advice for military parents whose children are adjusting to new schools, separations during their deployments, and other coping skills for military kids to thrive.

Article Around MHS
Mar 8, 2023

Physician Says DOD Focused on Improving Mental Health of Force

Emergency trauma nurses, treat a simulated patient during the Tactical Trauma Reaction and Evacuation Crossover Course at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas, Feb. 23, 2023. (Credit: Jason W. Edwards, DOD)

Defense Department health leaders provided testimony today at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez said the department is committing resources with a focus on preventing suicides of military and family members.

Article Around MHS
Feb 15, 2023

Army Restoration and Reconditioning Centers Help Soldiers with Deployment Stress and Optimize Unit Readiness

Military personnel during mindfulness training

Yoga and mindfulness for the warfighter? We take a look inside an Army program's "whole person" approach to help soldiers cope with stressful or traumatic events in combat and other military operations.

Article Around MHS
Feb 10, 2023

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Continues Expanding Mental Health Options in Pilot Program’s Second Year

Naval Branch Health Clinic Bahrain sign at Naval Support Activity Bahrain

A two-year pilot program expanding mental health treatment options for military and family members hit its halfway mark. Find out how it's been successful so far, and what's next in advancing services to warfighters and their families experiencing acute mental health problems.

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: January 22, 2024
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery