There are an ever-growing number of resources, programs, and tools for mental health, resiliency, and suicide prevention, but when you're in need, it can be difficult to know where to start. One jumping off point is Modern Military's health and wellness resource hub.
For additional support, our team curated this guide featuring some of the top resources for both the LGBTQ+ community and veterans. Most also serve family members, and some work with active duty service members and their families.
Regardless of your next steps, know you are not alone and help is available. Modern Military sees you, supports you, and fights for you. If you are in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line offers 24/7 confidential support; you don't need to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care. Simply call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or start an online chat here.
Cohen Veterans Network
Through a network of their own clinics, this nonprofit offers free mental health care treatment to post-9/11 veterans and their families. Cohen Veterans Network also helps with case management and referrals for other needs
Easterseals
This nationwide nonprofit organization provides services and advocacy for a range of populations, including veterans, their caregivers, and military spouses. Their mental health offerings include counseling, behavior health programs, and support groups, with competency in common military concerns like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and suicide. The organization also provides veteran employment support, accessible transportation and disability services, veteran and military family assistance, and, among other things early childhood education.
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Supporting and empowering military and veteran family caregivers is the focus of Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Beyond programs to raise awareness of this community's challenges and garner wider support, the nonprofit has a range of mental health offerings for caregivers. These include a resource network with Wounded Warrior Project, free workshops, a mental wellness bookclub, Care Groups that offer virtual peer support groups for military or veteran caregivers, and more.
Give an Hour
Give an Hour doesn't offer crisis management but instead provides free one-on-one counseling, peer support groups, and emotional wellness training and tools. Therapists volunteer their time and receive specialized training to create a safe, supp[ortive space for service members, veterans, and their loved ones.
Headstrong
This veteran-founded nonprofit offers free mental health treatment — 30 sessions with a professional focused on addressing trauma — to service members, veterans, and family members regardless of discharge type. They're savvy with service-related issues like PTSD and military sexual trauma.
Hope for the Warriors
Founded by and for military families, this organization supports a range of needs in the active duty and veteran communities. It offers mental health services like a veteran peer support program, clinical support services for veterans, and a behavioral health clinic open to service members and their families. Hope for the Warriors also provides financial assistance for basic needs, employment support, recreational programs such as adaptive sports, family retreats, and community-building events.
Operation Family Caregiver
The Rosalynn Carter Institute of Caregivers offers this support program for families of service members and veterans who returned with visible or invisible injuries. Their specially trained coaches create custom, eight-session programs for each family, working together closely to build skills like self-care for caregivers and strategies for coping with challenges. Coaching is available in English and Spanish.
Operation Homefront
This nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting military families and veterans through programs that promote stability, self-sufficiency, and strong communities. Their services include financial assistance, transitional housing, family support programs, and morale and welfare events that help ease the challenges of military life.
Q'mmunity House
Q'mmunity House is an LGTBQ+ transitional housing program created by Minority Veterans of America, a partner organization of Modern Military. It is not a treatment facility, but an initiative in King County, Washington (Seattle area) to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ veterans, who often experience higher rates of homelessness, discrimination, and barriers to accessing critical resources. Selected veterans and their families receive safe, affirming, stable housing and tailored support services to empower them on their journey toward self-sufficiency and healing.
SAGE's National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging
Hosted by SAGE, a nonprofit that provides advocacy and services for LGBTQ+ elders, this resource center is a hub of helpful information for that population, their families, and their caregivers. It features an LGBTQ+ mental wellness app, a database of state-level nonprofit resources, a form for asking questions or obtaining referrals, an online library with a wide range of information (including a category devoted to mental health), and more. They also have some content and offerings for veterans.
Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA)
TAVA advocates for the rights of, and equitable treatment for, transgender veterans. Through multiple platforms, TAVA offers spaces to encourage healing through community. The organization also works to influence policy and provides assistance navigating the VA, correcting DD-214’s, suicide prevention services, and more.
The Trevor Project
Free crisis counseling is a core offering from this nonprofit devoted to supporting LGBTQ+ youth. That said, their confidential crisis counselors will talk to anyone in need. Their free 24/7 line is available via online chat, phone (866-488-7386), or text (678-678)
TransFamily Support Services
Created for families with trans or nonbinary youth, this organization offers support to both youth and their families, and they are very competent in the military and veteran space. They offer free family coaching, mentorship, help navigating the legal system, assistance with healthcare and insurance issues, online support groups, and more. Families in need of immediate assistance can email info@transfamilysos.org.
Trans Lifeline
This free support service is led by and for trans and nonbinary people. It's a civilian hotline available to offer crisis support and advice or point you toward resources. Call 877-565-8860; if you speak Spanish, press 2. Please note while anonymous and confidential, they are only open Monday through Friday from 12 pm to 8 pm Central.
Veteran Spouse Network
This peer-led support network is dedicated to empowering and connecting veteran spouses, caregivers, and family members. It provides resources like peer support groups to build resiliency, education on preventing suicide in veterans, and a community to help navigate the challenges of family life after the military.
Veteran Wellness Alliance
A coalition of multiple organizations make up this unique alliance that empowers veterans to get the mental health treatment they need by connecting veteran peer networks with high-quality care providers. Their website features both a platform where veterans can connect with peers and a Check-In program that connects you to care. For the latter, any vets, service members, or family members experiencing minor challenges or major duress can reach out and be matched with a licensed professional.
Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, this organization has supported veterans and service members who were injured in the line of duty. Their mission is to honor and empower wounded veterans by providing a variety of programs and services that address both physical and mental health needs, including mental health support and referrals, peer support groups for veterans and family members, physical rehabilitation, and career counseling.
Photo credits: cottonbro studio, Brett Sayles
