BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs wants to remind veterans and their loved ones about available resources during Mental Health Awareness Month.
According to the department, there is specific help for veterans in any part of their journey to ensure they don’t enter into a mental health crisis.
Help for veterans transitioning out of military
For thousands of men and women transitioning out of military service every year in Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs offers one-on-one help through the Veteran’s Assistance Counselors Program. It does not cost.
The department can help veterans file disability claims, receive earned benefits, and get access to educational opportunities like the GI Bill. In addition, veterans who are rated at 90 percent disabled or higher can get free tuition from the state.
Other programs like NextOp and Work for Warriors Louisiana are helping men and women get a job post military service. NextOp placed 669 Louisiana veterans into civilian careers in 2023 alone. Work for Warriors Louisiana is free and provides veterans with resume support, job matching, and connections to employers that value military service. For more information, click here.
For veterans looking for ways to connect with peers, organizations like American Legion, VFW, DAV, and AMVETS are available. Officials said the organizations provide a sense of belonging and peer support.
Resources for overwhelmed veterans who aren’t in an immediate mental health danger
Veterans often find themselves feeling overwhelmed but not in any immediate mental health crisis. There are important resources available for those people.
The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs has medical centers in New Orleans, Alexandria, and Shreveport. There are also VA Community-Based Outpatient clinics across Louisiana. Officials said veterans can reach out directly to the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs for help.
Many men and women who’ve struggled to find a stable place to live can call a free and confidential service at 1-877-424-3838. Someone is available around the clock.
If a veteran or family member needs financial assistance, Louisiana has a state benefit called the Military Family Assistance Fund. People can contact the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to determine whether they’re eligible.
Help for those facing urgent mental health crisis
Officials want men and women who may be facing an urgent mental health crisis to know there is hope. They urge those veterans to dial 911 or to go to the nearest emergency room. You can also call 988 and press one for the Veterans Crisis Line, which provides assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you’d prefer to chat with someone, you can go to the website VeteransCrisisLine.net.
More details about available resources for veterans can be found at the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs website.
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