Veteran and Service Member Assistance

Veterans and active duty service members sacrifice much for our nation. Many of them have special needs due to the stresses of their service experience, which may include combat, injury, trauma and isolation from traditional support structures. The Louisiana Department of Health recognizes these needs and hopes to assist those who have given of themselves for our country. Service members, veterans and their families who are looking for information about the health needs they experience as a result of their or their family member's service should review the information below. Additionally, we hope that health care providers across the state will join us in assisting this community of patriots and their families by using the information presented below in the course of their practice.

Resources for Veterans, Service Members and Their Families

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  • Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs
    The LDVA provides Louisiana-based resources and services for veterans and their families. 
    http://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/
  • Military OneSource
    Military OneSource provides confidential nonmedical counseling to service members and their families as well as comprehensive information about all aspects of military life.
    http://www.militaryonesource.mil
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
    SAMHSA administers the Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance Center, which provides assistance in finding behavioral health resources and service. 
    http://www.samhsa.gov/smvf-ta-center
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
    The VA provides nationwide services and resources for veterans and their families.
    http://www.va.gov/
    Specific services offered by the VA Include:

Resources for Service Providers Giving Care to Veterans, Service Members and Their Families

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  • Center for Deployment Psychology
    The CDP provides training on military culture and offers continuing education units to participants. 250+ free courses and through the Governor’s Challenge Portal Louisiana is allotted with 15,000 seats for the state. With access to the GC training portal, state teams will have the ability to promote online trainings to community partners, providers and others to support strategies related to their suicide prevention strategic action plans. In addition, individualized state team dashboards will provide custom metrics and learner evaluation data.  https://psycharmor.org/
  • Community Provider Tool Kit
    The Department of Veterans Affairs created the CPTK to deliver information on a variety of topics to providers. Information in the kit ranges from screening and assessment to treatment tools. Continuing education credits are offered through the program.  Content from the Community Provider Toolkit has been integrated into the Mental Health website. Visit the Health Care Provider page for more information. Website page needs to change to http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/communityproviders/index.asp
  • Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs
    The LDVA provides Louisiana-based resources and services for veterans and their families.
    http://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
    SAMHSA administers the Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance Center, which provides assistance in finding behavioral health resources and service. They also provide webinars and trainings to providers. By becoming a partner with the program, you can be identified as a provider of behavioral health to this community.  
    http://www.samhsa.gov/smvf-ta-center
  • The Suicide Prevention Resource Center
    Suicide is a disproportionate danger to service members and veterans. The SPRC provides training to providers who wish to help combat this trend. 
    http://www.sprc.org/populations/military-veterans 
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. https://988lifeline.org/