Help for Veterans and Their Families: National Institute of Mental Health’s “Outreach Partnership Program”

The National Institute of Mental Health’s “Outreach Partnership Program” has made information available to veterans and their families who have concerns about depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other behavioral health problems. The information in this article comes from that resource.

Depression interferes with daily life, and even though each person may experience depression in a unique way, there are some signs and symptoms that one should be aware of, including:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or empty feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Irritability and restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that one once found enjoyable/pleasant/fulfilling
• Fatigue or decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
• Sleep disturbance of one kind or another (like insomnia, too much sleep, or early morning wakening)
• Eating problems: eating too much or a loss of ones appetite
• Thoughts of suicide, or suicide attempts
• Aches, pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not respond to medical treatment

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is not uncommon among returning veterans. When the following signs and symptoms last longer than a few weeks, one may be experiencing PTSD:

• Flashbacks
• Bad dreams
• Frightening thoughts
• Avoiding places/events/objects that are reminders of the experience
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Strong guilt, depression, or worry
• Losing interest in activities that were once enjoyable
• Having trouble remembering the dangerous or traumatic event
• Being easily startled
• Feeling tense or “on the edge”
• Sleep disturbance
• Outbursts of anger
• "Drinking" to forget

SELF TESTS FOR PTSD, DEPRESSION & MORE AVAILABLE HERE:

• https://www.vetselfcheck.org/welcome.cfm

• https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/anonymous.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=mentalHealth&contentPage=mh_screening_tools/PTSD_SCREENING.HTML

• https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/anonymous.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=mentalHealth&contentPage=mh_screening_tools/PHQ_SCREENING.HTML

Many veterans have a difficult time adjusting to life back home after they’ve been deployed. Behavioral health services can help. 

Help is available 24 hours a day, every day 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1

 or 

Send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

or

Chat Online 24/7 here: Veterans Chat

If you are in immediate need of help and do not want to use the above please CALL 911

Here are some websites where reading material on PTSD, depression, anxiety, and related subjects may be obtained:

http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/

http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/Resources.asp

www.nimh.nih.gov

www.nami.org