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Mental Health is Health Care

The Military Health System has many resources available to help any service member, families, or veteran beneficiaries who are struggling with mental health challenges.

Military families' lives are generally very different from others. Service members may be subject to frequent relocations, deployments, and stressful experiences due to combat and time away from their families. Families cope with additional stressors when their loved ones are deployed, managing family life on the home front. Traumatic events such as combat, assault, or disasters can have long-lasting negative effects like trouble sleeping, increased anger, nightmares, anxiety, and alcohol and drug abuse. These factors combined with changes we've experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic may weigh on many.

Everyone reacts to stress and traumatic experiences differently, and while some have reactions that can be seen as normal responses to life events, others may experience signs or symptoms of more serious conditions.

You are not alone.

If you're concerned that you or a loved one may be experiencing mental illness, you are not alone. Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being, yet mental illness affects millions of people worldwide. Mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, seasonal affective disorder, or more serious illnesses as bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. Unfortunately, most people with mental illness do not receive mental health services that they need.

Do what feels right for you.

There isn't one way to think or feel or act. The important thing is to take advantage of all mental health care resources. Remember that every moment in time can affect you and others differently. Treatment works and it is available.

Mental Health is Health Care

Military Health System Resources

InTransition Program

The inTransition Program is a free confidential program that provides specialized coaching and assistance for service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and retirees who need access to mental health care when relocating to another assignment, returning from deployment, transitioning between active duty and the Reserve component, preparing to leave military service, or any other time they need a new mental health provider, or need a provider for the first time.

Military Crisis Line

The Military Crisis Line, text-messaging service, and online chat provide free support for all service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and all veterans, even if they are not registered with the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) or enrolled in VA health care.

Military Health System Web Pages

There are two sources of information on our MHS websites.

Military Hospitals and Clinics

Mental health often provide mental health services, including integrated behavioral health clinics. Contact your primary care manager to see if this resource is available at your local military hospital or clinic. If it is, then you can schedule an appointment same day. To find your military hospital or clinic:

Military OneSource

Military OneSource can provide access to confidential Military Family Life Counselors in your community. Military OneSource also provides resources so you can manage stress and access benefits and tools that will help you stay strong in body and mind. This page provides access to self-care mobile applications developed within the Department of Defense, VA and other partners. All mobile applications are free and for iOS and/or Android devices.

Psychological Health Resource Center

The Psychological Health Resource Center is available 24/7 for service members, veterans, and family members with questions about psychological health topics. Trained mental health consultants can help you access mental health care and community support resources in your local area.

Real Warriors Campaign

The Real Warriors Campaign aims to break down the stigma associated with mental health care and encourages service members to reach out for help when they need it. Find articles with support resources, video profiles with service member and veteran stories, and materials to download or order.

VA Resources

The VA addresses the events unfolding in Afghanistan and encourages veterans to talk with friends and families, reach out to battle buddies, connect with a peer-to-peer network, or sign up for mental health services. Here is a list of common reactions and coping advice. >>View the latest VA blog to learn more

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How does the inTransition intake process work?

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3/16/2023
How does the inTransition intake process work?

The Defense Health Agency inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care. In this video Dr. Nick Polizzi, inTransition Program Manager, describes the intake process for the inTransition program, detailing what information you’ll need to get started and what to expect after the intake call.

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What can I expect from inTransiton coaching?

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3/16/2023
What can I expect from inTransiton coaching?

The Defense Health Agency inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care. In this video Dr. Nick Polizzi, inTransition Program Manager, provides an overview of inTransition coaching services — outlining how they work with service members and veterans to identify new mental health care providers.

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How do service members and veterans get enrolled

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3/16/2023
How do service members and veterans get enrolled

The Defense Health Agency inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care. In this video Dr. Nick Polizzi, inTransition Program Manager, shares information about how enrollment works for inTransition, including auto-enrollment and referrals into the program.

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Who is eligible to use inTransition?

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3/16/2023
Who is eligible to use inTransition?

The Defense Health Agency inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care. In this video Dr. Nick Polizzi, inTransition Program Manager, discusses the eligibility requirements for service members and veterans to use the inTransition program.

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What qualifications to inTransition coaches have?

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3/16/2023
What qualifications to inTransition coaches have?

The Defense Health Agency inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care. In this video Dr. Nick Polizzi, inTransition Program Manager, shares information about the qualifications inTransition coaches bring to their role and how that helps support service members and veterans as they seek new mental health care.

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What is the inTransition program and how does it work?

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3/16/2023
What is the inTransition program and how does it work?

The Defense Health Agency inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care. In this video Dr. Nick Polizzi, inTransition Program Manager, explains how the program works to support service members and veterans as they transition their mental health support.

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What happens when I get connected to a new provider?

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3/16/2023
What happens when I get connected to a new provider?

The Defense Health Agency inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care. In this video Dr. Nick Polizzi, inTransition Program Manager, details the process for completing inTransition coaching, including what to expect when transitioning to a new provider.

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Physician Says DOD Focused on Improving Mental Health of Force

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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.

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

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

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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.

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Sesame Workshop Rolls Out Self Care Content for Military Families

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Sesame Workshop has launched new digital resources for military parents and children that offer simple strategies for mental health and self-care. The resources include videos demonstrating the importance of finding the little wins, being flexible with routines, meal planning and even learning how to be still and quiet.

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inTransition - Connecting, Coaching, Empowering

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inTransition

The Defense Health Agency inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care when: relocating to another assignment; returning from deployment; transitioning from active duty to reserve component or reserve component to active duty; preparing to leave military service; any other time they need a new mental health provider or need a provider for the first time. inTransition coaches are skilled counselors who understand military culture and who maintain privacy and confidentiality. inTransition services are available to ALL military members regardless of length of service or discharge status and there is NO expiration date to enroll. Learn more: https://health.mil/intransition

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Decades After Desert Storm, inTransition is There for You

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If you need help with your PTSD, the InTransition program is for you.

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Equine Therapy Reduces Staff Stress and Anxiety at Military Hospital

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If It Is Worth Dying for, It Is Worth Living for

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Last Updated: March 24, 2023
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