Military & Veterans: Utah Resources

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For veterans, crises can be heightened by their experiences during military service. If you’re a veteran or service member and in crisis, these resources can help.

1-800-273-8255

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network's (NCTSN) section on military and veteran families and children includes sections for resources, educators, family members, professionals, policy, and on traumatic grief and military children.

Department of Defense (DoD) Safe Helpline is a groundbreaking crisis support service for members of the DoD community affected by sexual assault. Safe Helpline provides live, one-on-one support and information to the worldwide DoD community. The service is confidential, anonymous, secure, and available worldwide, 24/7 by click, call or text—providing victims with the help they need anytime, anywhere. 

Hotline: 877.995.5247

As many as 700,000 children under the age of five have a parent in the military. Recognizing the need for first-rate media-based resources to support military families, in 2006, Sesame Workshop launched the bilingual (English/Spanish), multimedia outreach initiative Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families During Military Deployment (TLC). This critical outreach tool helped military families and their young children cope with the challenges of deployment and build resilience in times of separation and change. The overwhelming response to this program revealed a need for additional resources and in 2008 and 2010, respectively, Sesame Workshop followed up with Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes (TLC 2) and Talk, Listen, Connect: When Families Grieve (TLC 3).

Since its initial launch, Talk, Listen, Connect has expanded to include a free Sesame Street/USO family tour; three PBS primetime specials; Sesame Rooms, bringing toys and furniture to military spaces; and the Military Families Near and Far website.

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available. 

The website has sections on being there for a veteran friend or family member, signs of crisis, getting help, and other esources.

Created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), The PTSD Coach app can help you learn about and manage symptoms that often occur after trauma. 

Features include:

• Reliable information on PTSD and treatments that work
• Tools for screening and tracking your symptoms
• Convenient, easy-to-use tools to help you handle stress symptoms
• Direct links to support and help
• Always with you when you need it

NOTE: PTSD is a serious mental health condition that often requires professional evaluation and treatment. PTSD Coach is not intended to replace needed professional care.

Also see PTSD Coach ONLINE for desktop use: choose from 17 tools.

Download on:

Google Play

iTunes / App Store

Living with a family member who has PTSD can be stressful. Created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), PTSD Family Coach is an app similar to PTSD Coach. PTSD Family Coach provides support for concerned family members of those with PTSD. The app can help you learn about PTSD, how to take care of yourself, and how to manage your relationship with your loved one or children. PTSD Family Coach also has information on how to help your loved one get the treatment they deserve.

Features include:

• Information about PTSD and how it affects those who care about someone with PTSD.
• Tips to help families better support a loved one with PTSD, and themselves. The app includes information on how to find counseling.
• Facts about counseling for individuals or couples managing PTSD in a relationship.
• Tools to help family members manage stress.
• Self-created support network of people to connect with when in need.

Download on:

iTunes / App Store