Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

Mental Health is Health

The Military Health System has many resources available to help service members, families, or veterans 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.

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.

Mental Health is Health

Get the Care You Need

TRICARE covers a wide range of mental health services and you can find services locally at your military hospital or clinic and within the military community.

See What TRICARE CoversGoes to TRICARE.mil Find Your Military Hospital or ClinicGoes to the MTF Locator

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, 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 is available.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a serious public health concern, but is preventable. 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, including depression, traumatic brain injury, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Those coping with more serious concerns may feel like there is no escape from their difficulties. Read More

The Brandon Act

The Brandon Act honors Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta who died by suicide in 2018. The legislation was signed into law on Dec. 27, 2021, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. On May 5, 2023, DOD issued guidance to establish policy, assign responsibilities, and provide procedures for service members to initiate a referral for a mental health evaluation.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

If you’ve been exposed to a traumatic event like a serious accident, sexual assault, physical abuse, or natural disaster, you might suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder. People with PTSD may repeat their ordeals as:

  • Flashback episodes.
  • Memories.
  • Nightmares.
  • Frightening thoughts.

This can happen if they’re exposed to events that remind them of their trauma.

It’s important to know that PTSD can happen to anyone who’s experienced a traumatic event. According to the National Center for PTSD, nearly 12 million people in the U.S. are living with PTSD. Treatment is available, but many don’t get the care they need. Help spread the word by raising awareness about PTSD and the resources available to our DOD community.

 

Military Health System Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

 

inTransition Program

 

Military Crisis Line

 

Military OneSource

 

Psychological Health Resource Center

 

Real Warriors Campaign

 

Military Health System Web Pages

 

Military Hospitals and Clinics

You also may be interested in...

Article
May 31, 2023

Confidential Mental Health Resources Available to Military Families

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Christian Luna Salvador, right, a postal clerk with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, speaks to Tarra Brannon, a social worker with Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa, in a family evacuation drill during Exercise Constant Vigilance 2022 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, on Oct. 20, 2022. The Military Health System offers many services to service members in a variety of settings in times of stress and anxiety. (credit: U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Thomas Sheng)

“Checking in on your mental health can be as easy as making an appointment with a mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychiatrist – and that can be done face to face or virtually,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Anna Fedotova, mental health flight commander, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

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
May 24, 2023

5 Tips To Start a Conversation About Getting Mental Health Care

5 Tips To Start a Conversation About Getting Mental Health Care

“How are you?” It’s a question almost everyone answers every day. Like most, your usual response is probably, “Fine, thanks. How are you?” But if you really think about it, are you fine? Maybe you haven’t been yourself in a while. You’re feeling sad, stressed, lonely, or just not how you want to feel. You’d like to start feeling better but aren’t ...

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 ...

Fact Sheet
May 22, 2023

Changes in Behavior, Personality or Mood Following Concussion/mTBI Fact Sheet

.PDF | 977.73 KB

This TBICoE fact sheet can be used by health care providers to educate patients with a concussion, or mild TBI, on how to manage changes in mood related to their injury. Patients and caregivers would also find this information useful.

Article
May 17, 2023

Targeted Care Pilot Aims to Match Demand for Mental Health Care

Targeted Care Pilot Aims to Match Demand for Mental Health Care

The DHA Targeted Care Pilot deployed to 10 sites in April 2023. The pilot, lasting six months, aims to alleviate the strained mental health system by matching service members to the care they need—wherever they are on a spectrum of mental health issues. Following the pilot, DHA will review results for the purpose of further refinement, continuation, ...

Last Updated: September 27, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery