Military
Medical - TRICARE
Active Duty Service Members should seek non-emergency treatment at military hospitals or clinics when possible. If care is not available through military hospitals or clinics, Active Duty Service Members must get an authorization and referral for care in another setting.
Non-Active Duty Service Members do not require prior approval or referral to see a mental health professional in an outpatient setting for up to 8 sessions. If more than 8 sessions are required, an individual needs to get authorization and referral for further treatment from their regional contractor.
TRICARE also has a 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273.
For more information about seeking help through TRICARE, go to http://www.tricare.mil/~/media/Files/TRICARE/Publications/FactSheets/Mental_Health_FS.pdf
Veterans Administration
Eligible veterans can get care through the V.A., which offers care in a variety of treatment settings. Learn more and find your nearest VA Facility or PTSD Program or Vet Center by visiting http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/gethelp.asp . Download the “Guide to VA Mental Health Services for Veterans & Families ” for detailed information about the kinds of care the VA provides and how and where to access mental health care.
Want more information about how insurance works? http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/how-insurance-works .
Non-Medical - Military OneSource Active Duty members of the armed services (including National Guard and Reservists, regardless of activation status) and their families can receive free, confidential counseling services for up to 12 sessions through Military OneSource. Non-medical counseling is provided in one of four ways: face-to-face, online, on the phone, or video (similar to Skype or FaceTime). This service is intended to help people find ways of addressing difficulties with relationships, stress management, grief and other issues.
After your 12 free sessions, your counselor will make suggestions about next steps.
24/7 Resources
If you need more immediate or specific assistance in finding help, there are a number of 24/7 resources available:
Military Crisis Line
Talk: Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) and press "1"http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/MilitaryChatTermsOfService.aspx?account=Military%20Chat
Real Warriors Live Chat
Talk: Call 866-966-1020
Online: Chat online with a trained resource consultant at http://www.realwarriors.net/livechat###
If you would like some help figuring out the differences between types of mental health professionals, treatment options, and more, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/finding-right-care and http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/b4stage4-get-help .
Mental Health America has additional resources for military members and their families at http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/military-mental-health and a number of military-specific fact sheets are available by searching for “military” at http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/mental-health-information .
If you would like to try some other options, here are some additional places to go for help:
Local MH Centers - http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/finding-therapy
MHA affiliates http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/find-affiliate
Student
If you are in junior high school or high school:
Your guidance counselor or school nurse can help you find resources or additional assistance, and can also help you talk to your parents about the difficulties you’re having.
Teens can also text “MHA” to 741-741 for 24/7 confidential crisis text services.
If you are a college student:
Your college or university’s Campus Health Center is a good place to start. Typically they offer counseling services for little or no cost, or can connect you with providers who work with the campus. You may also be able to find additional resources through the Office of Student Life.
Many campuses have an Active Minds chapter, which can be a good place to find support from other students on campus who may be having difficulties with mental health. See if your school has an Active Minds chapter by using the interactive map at http://www.activeminds.org/our-programming/chapters/27 .
ULifeline.org can also connect students with resources.
If you are covered by your parents’ health insurance:
Your family doctor can provide referrals to mental health specialists or prescribe medication to help with your symptoms. They will likely suggest that you to see a specialist if this is the first time that you are seeking help for a mental health issue and don’t have a diagnosis.
Your insurance company may require that you have treatment by a mental health specialist like a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist authorized (usually for multiple sessions) before a visit. You will be able to find specifics by visiting your health insurance company’s website or calling their customer service number (typically on the back of your insurance card). Ask your parents to help you with the details.
Want more information about how insurance works? http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/how-insurance-works
If you would like some help figuring out the differences between types of mental health professionals, treatment options, and more, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/finding-right-care and http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/b4stage4-get-help .
If you would like to try some other options, here are some additional places to go for help:
Local MH Centers - http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/finding-therapy
MHA affiliates http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/find-affiliate
PCP/Insurance Company
Primary Care Provider (PCP)
Your family doctor can provide referrals to mental health specialists or prescribe medication to help with your symptoms. They will likely suggest that you to see a specialist if this is the first time that you are seeking help for a mental health issue and don’t have a diagnosis.
Your insurance company may require that you have treatment by a mental health specialist like a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist authorized (usually for multiple sessions) before a visit. You will be able to find specifics by visiting your health insurance company’s website or calling their customer service number (typically on the back of your insurance card). You can also ask your employer’s HR person to help you understand your plan’s behavioral health benefits.
Want more information about how insurance works? http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/how-insurance-works
If you would like some help figuring out the differences between types of mental health professionals, treatment options, and more, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/finding-right-care and http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/b4stage4-get-help .
Local MHA Affiliate
Mental Health America has hundreds of affiliates across the country whose primary purpose it is to help members of the community find and access help for mental health concerns, conditions and illnesses. Services provided by MHAs vary, so you will need to explore what is available by finding the MHA closest to you.
Your MHA affiliate will know the local community and many of them can put you in touch with peer support from other people who have experienced similar difficulties with mental health, and help you find additional information and resources for mental health treatment.
Find your local affiliate by going to http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/find-affiliate .
If you would like some help figuring out the differences between types of mental health professionals, treatment options, and more, visit http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/finding-right-care and http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/b4stage4-get-help .
If you would like to try some other options, here are some additional places to go for help:
Local MH Centers - http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/finding-therapy
MHA affiliates http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/find-affiliate
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