Most Mental Health services for veterans are provided directly by the Vet Outreach Centers or the Veterans  Administration Health Facilities. In our area the Vet Center is located in Escanaba and Green Bay, WI and the closest VA facility is in Iron Mountain, MI:

Escanaba Vet Center

Green Bay Vet Center

Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center Iron Mtn, MI

VA Facilities in Michigan

VA Facilities in Wisconsin

Resources for Vets Here are some resource websites we found on ptsdhelp.net HELP PRO http://www.helppro.com/ptsd   The nation's most comprehensive therapist finder.  Follow this link to find a PTSD specialized counselor in your area.  Providers can be selected based on their treatment specialities, education, or types of insurance accepted, among other search criteria.   The American Veteran and Servicemembers Survival Guide: http://www.veteransforamerica.org/survival-guide/survival-guide-download/   Written by experts in the field of veterans law and advocacy, The American Veteran and Servicemembers Survival Guide, provides easy to understand information.  Moreover, the Guide is avaliable for free download in whole or in part.   The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs:  http://www.nasdva.com/   This site links to the individual state websites for the members of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs.  The individual state websites list varied information.  Almost all of them give a comprehensive list of services provided and available.  This is an excellent place to begin your search for assistance with a PTSD claim for compensation.   U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Main Site: http://www.va.gov/   This site provides information on VA programs, services, and facilities.  It also provides VA forms and applications that can be downloaded.  If you are seriously considering filing a claim with the VA, we urge you to obtain free representation from an accredited service officer/representative.  Authorized veterans service organizations and state and county departments of veterans affairs employ such personnel to assist you.  Competent representation may expedite your claim by preventing errors and oversights in its preparation and processing.   U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Site Locator: http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1   This site is an excellent and very efficient way to locate the nearest VA facilities.  Available through this link are addresses and phone numbers for all VA medical centers, outpatient treatment clinics, Vet Centers, regional offices, and other VA facilities.   American Psychiatric Association: http://www.psych.org/public_info/ptsd.cfm   This link opens an American Psychiatric Association article giving an overview of PTSD and various methods of treating its most persistent symptoms.   WebMDHealth: http://my.webmd.com/hw/mental_health/hw184190.asp?pagenumber=1   An excellent overview of PTSD and its treatment.  However, this site and similar sites are no substitute for treatment by a qualified physician if you are suffering from PTSD or its related problems such as depression and self-medication.   About Medications for Combat PTSD: http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/ptsd.html   If you are under a physician's care for PTSD, and he or she has prescribed medication to help treat your symptoms, this is a handy site to access detailed information about your prescription.   Casualties for Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2004/oef.casualties/   Veterans often know each other by nicknames.  Or because they may be on an operation together but from different units, they don't know each other's name.  In other cases, they may simply forget names of some of those killed in action.  The names of comrades killed are often needed to substantiate a PTSD compensation claim.  This site provides a continually updated list of casualties, many with photographs and casualty circumstances, from the war in Afghanistan.   Casualties for Operation Iraqi Freedom - Iraq: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/Iraq/forces/casualties/   Likewise, this site provides the same information from the War in Iraq.  It can be quite helpful in substantiating a stressor related to a veteran's combat service.   Empowering Veterans Political Action Committee: http://www.empoweringveterans.org   Empowering Veterans is a citizen advocacy Political Action Committee (PAC). Its mission is mobilizing veterans and non-veterans to encourage, elect, and empower candidates for public office who are Armed Forces veterans.   Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Information: http://www.brainandspinalcord.org   An excellent site providing information for those who have suffered from brain and spinal cord injuries.  Information is also available to assist families of the injured.   Patience Press: http://www.patiencepress.com   Publishers and sellers of books and literature on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.   Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs PTSD Counseling http://www.dva.wa.gov/ptsd_counseling.html Washington's Department of Veterans Affairs provides a comprehensive readjustment counseling service to veterans and their families who may be experiencing readjustment problems.   The Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) Forum http://www.pebforum.com/ This forum, hosted by a former Army JAG officer, is an invaluable resource for any servicemember seeking to navigate the Physical Evaluation Board process.  Information is power -- this website provides you with the knowledge needed to weather an often insensitive and difficult PEB.    The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awarness Center http://www.maacenter.org This website provides excellent information for veterans concerned about Mesothelioma and other cancers related to asbestos exposure.  Treatment and legal options are discussed in a straightforward and helpful manner.    Army One Source http://www.myarmyonesource.com/default.aspx This website provides a whole host of soldier and family support services ranging from healthcare to housing.  Services seem to be excellent near major military installations and sparse in other areas.



The Veterans Crisis Line is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resource that connects Veterans in crisis or their families and friends with qualified, caring VA professionals. Assistance is available through a confidential, toll-free hotline or via online chat. The Veterans Crisis Line is staffed by caring VA responders, many who are Veterans themselves. Each responder understands the unique Veteran experience and is trained to handle any crisis. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or chat online to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.



For the first time since Vietnam, more than two million Americans have served in overseas combat zones. Studies reveal that one in three of the men and women who return from Iraq and Afghanistan will suffer emotional problems.  This site is devoted to helping them and their families recognize and adjust to the lingering trauma of their war experiences.

Many of today's veterans, especially those engaged in Afghanistan and Iraq, are on an emotional path already walked by those of us who served in Vietnam.  Both generations of veterans share the fact of having served in a controversial war.  Both wars engaged a largely unidentifiable and unseen enemy.  Both wars shared the intense violence of close-quarter combat among small units.  And finally, in both wars young volunteer soldiers shouldered the burden of combat duty disproportionately.

The lessons learned by my generation of veterans during our difficult years of readjustment can be used to help those of you who have most recently stood in harm's way.  One generation of veterans should never neglect the opportunity to help their fellow veterans who served before or after them.



Hint: Be sure to include a link to your contact page!