Leading Health Care In The 21st Century
Mental Health Resources Available for Veterans

The conflict in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) and the War in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) are the most sustained combat operations the United States has been involved in since the Vietnam War. Our experience in working with the men and women who have been exposed to combat has shown that they are more at risk of developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other mental health problems.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), New York State Office of Mental Health (NYSOMH) and New York State Division of Veterans Affairs (NYSDVA) have collaborated to identify the broad range of mental health services that are available through­out New York State for veterans. This booklet is designed to raise awareness about mental health issues related to combat and to identify resources that are available to veterans including women, active duty soldiers, National Guard troops and reservists.

Veterans returning from combat may have difficulty in identifying or discussing the problems they are experiencing (e.g., substance abuse, domestic violence, poor anger control, etc.). These concerns may be directly related to their military service. They may also be rooted in combat-related PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (injury to the brain caused by a significant force). Any of the problems mentioned above can negatively impact a veteran’s ability to function socially, occupationally or educationally.

One of the problems veterans faced while overseas is that they would often go right back to duty after being in­volved in an explosion without aware­ness that an injury occurred and therefore not be aware that they may have TBI. Veterans with PTSD may think they have no problems related to the combat they experienced because the symptoms do not often present until the veteran returns home. That is why it is so important to ask about veteran status and to refer veterans to the following agencies.

VA Health Care Services

VA provides every active-duty soldier, reservist or National Guard combat veteran two years of free health care beginning on the date of discharge for all illnesses and injuries, unless clearly unrelated to military service.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides a number of health care services including:

• Primary care, inpatient, nursing home, and community-based residential care
• Dental, pharmacy, mental health, and prosthetic services
• Medical evaluation for military service exposure to environmental hazards
• Readjustment and vocational rehabilitation counseling
• Alcohol and drug dependency treatment
• Post traumatic stress and sexual trauma counseling
• Specialized health care for women veterans
• Health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans
• Domiciliary

VA health care benefits, facilities and services in upstate New York:
Web site: www.visn2.va.gov
Telephone: 1-888-823-9656

VA health care benefits, facilities and services in downstate New York:
Web site: www.nynj.va.gov/

Resources Available to Veterans

VA Health Care Services
VA Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Resources
Web site: www.visn2.va.gov/apps/health/alphaaction.cfm?TID=80

Veteran Centers
Veteran Centers serve veterans and their families by providing professional readjustment counseling services to support post-war adjustment in the community. The Centers focus on counseling for military traumas, employment and family problems. Individual and group counseling is available for veterans and their families. Veteran Centers also provide referral services for VA benefits and medical services, and act as a liaison with community agencies.

To find a Local Veterans Center:
Web site: www.va.gov/directory
Telephone: 1- 800 -1 827-1000

Produced by Network Communications
Designed and printed by the Network Print Shop, Bath VA Medical Center
Official DoD photos provided by Joint Combat Camera Center, Defense Visual Information Directorate

New York State Resources
New York State has an extensive public mental health system that serves more than 500,000 individuals each year. The Office of Mental Health (OMH) operates psychiatric centers across the State, and also regulates, certifies and oversees more than 2,500 programs that are operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies. These programs include various inpatient and outpatient programs, emergency, community support, residential and family care programs. Veterans and their family members may access these programs through their local mental health system. The OMH Web site includes a tool that will help you determine the mental health programs available in your county. To access mental health services in your area contact your local County Department of Mental Health.

New York State Office of Mental Health

Licensed OMH Programs in your County

Directory of County Mental Health Departments

New York State Division of Veterans Affairs
The New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs was created to assist veterans, members of the armed forces, their families, and their depen­dents in securing benefits earned through military service. For more than half a century, the Division has been a strong advocate for veterans and veteran issues at the local, state, and national level. Web site: www.veterans.ny.gov

Reaching Us Is Easy

VA Medical Centers:

Comments or questions about the information on this page can be directed to the Community Outreach and Public Education Office.