Veteran Benefits
Mental Health Care & Vet Centers
The VA provides mental health care for the wounds that do not show - PTSD, depression, grief, and the lasting effects of military sexual trauma. Alongside the medical system, Vet Centers offer free, confidential counseling in the community, with records kept separate from your VA file so you can speak freely.
Who this is for
The hardest wounds to talk about are the ones no one can see. The VA - and especially the community-based Vet Centers - offer free, confidential help for PTSD, grief, and military sexual trauma, with counseling kept separate from your medical file so you can finally speak freely.
In plain language
What Mental Health Care & Vet Centers covers
- VA mental health treatment for PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, and substance use
- Free MST-related care for every veteran, no rating or proof required
- Free, confidential Vet Center readjustment counseling in the community
- Counseling for family members and how to reach help in a crisis
Free
MST-related care for every veteran - no rating or proof required
Confidential
Vet Center records are kept separate from your VA medical file
988 press 1
Veterans Crisis Line - free and confidential, 24/7
The full picture
Everything you need to know
Nothing hidden behind a click. Here is the whole story in plain language, so you can decide what fits your situation.
Key facts & current figures
- Every enrolled veteran can get VA mental health care - for PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, substance use, and more - and care for military sexual trauma (MST) is free to every veteran regardless of discharge status, disability rating, or enrollment (38 U.S.C. 1720D).
- Vet Centers are separate, community-based offices that provide free, confidential readjustment counseling - and their records are kept apart from your VA medical file.
- Vet Center help is open to combat veterans, MST survivors, and their families regardless of era or rating - you do not need a VA disability rating to be seen.
- You do not need to have reported MST or have proof it happened to receive MST-related care - the VA provides it either way.
- In crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line is 988, then press 1 (or text 838255) - free and confidential, 24/7. The Vet Center Call Center is 1-877-927-8387, also 24/7.
General figures, current as of December 2025 and reviewed each year. Your exact amount depends on your situation - always confirm on va.gov.
What VA mental health care covers
- Treatment for PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, insomnia, anger, and substance use, delivered by VA clinics, telehealth, and inpatient programs when needed.
- Specialized PTSD programs and evidence-based therapies, plus medication management when appropriate.
- Same-day access to urgent mental health needs is available at VA medical centers - you do not have to wait for an appointment when things are bad.
Military sexual trauma (MST) care
- Care for the mental and physical health effects of MST is free to every veteran, regardless of gender, discharge status, disability rating, or whether you are enrolled in VA health care.
- You do not need to have reported the trauma at the time, and you do not need documentation that it occurred.
- MST care is available at VA medical centers and, for counseling, at Vet Centers - ask for an MST coordinator if you want a specific point of contact.
Why Vet Centers are different
- Vet Centers are storefront offices in the community, not inside VA hospitals, created specifically for readjustment counseling after combat and other service.
- Their counseling records are kept separate from the VA electronic medical record, which is why many veterans feel safer opening up there.
- They serve combat veterans, MST survivors, certain support-role and disaster-response service members, and family members - and bereavement counseling is available to families of those who died in service.
Help right now
- Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1 (text 838255, or chat online) - free, confidential, and staffed 24/7. You do not need to be enrolled in VA care to use it.
- Vet Center Call Center: 1-877-927-8387 - talk to a fellow veteran any time and get connected to your nearest Vet Center.
- If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Your complete benefit picture
You can speak freely
Vet Center counseling is community-based and kept separate from your VA medical record - and care for military sexual trauma is free to every veteran, whether or not you ever reported it. Reaching out is a sign of strength.
Please hear this
MST care is free to every veteran - no report, no proof, no rating needed
The shame around military sexual trauma keeps too many veterans silent. Care for its effects is free to every veteran, of any gender.
You do not need to have reported it, you do not need documentation, and you do not need to be service-connected.
It will not hurt your claim
Vet Center counseling is deliberately kept separate from your VA medical file.
Help any time
Vet Center Call Center 1-877-927-8387, and the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1.
A clear path forward
Your step-by-step action plan
No rush and no pressure - but a little order helps. Applying is always free.
In crisis now
Call 988, then press 1
The Veterans Crisis Line is free, confidential, and staffed 24/7 - you need not be enrolled in VA care.
To talk it through
Reach a Vet Center
Call 1-877-927-8387 any time for free, confidential readjustment counseling - no referral or rating needed.
For ongoing care
Ask the VA for mental health
Enroll in VA health care and request a referral, or walk into any VA medical center for same-day urgent needs.
For MST
Ask for an MST coordinator
Request MST-specific care at a VA medical center or Vet Center - it is free regardless of your circumstances.
Who to call & where to go
These are free, official VA lines. Have your Social Security number handy when you call.
Vet Center Call Center
Free counseling and readjustment support at community Vet Centers.
Veterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential support 24/7. You do not have to be enrolled in VA care.
Rather have us handle it?
No phone tag, no hold music. Call our office and a real, VA-accredited person walks you through it - start to finish.
702-992-4883Not sure where to start?
For medical mental health care, enroll in VA health care and ask your primary care team for a referral, or walk into any VA medical center. For Vet Center counseling, call the Vet Center Call Center at 1-877-927-8387 (24/7) or contact your local Vet Center directly - no referral or rating needed. In a crisis, call 988 and press 1 right now.
More benefits for veterans
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