Resources For Veterans/Military, Firefighters, Law Enforcement, First Responders
VETERANS CRISIS LINE
If you’re a Veteran in crisis or Service member in crisis — or you’re concerned about one — there are caring, qualified VA responders standing by to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call 988, then press 1; or call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) and Press 1. Support for deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-799-4889. You may also text 838255, or chat online through the website
STOP SOLDIER SUICIDE: Military and Veteran Suicide Prevention
Stop Soldier Suicide works 1-on-1 with troops, veterans, and military families to help navigate the maze of services, programs and assistance available. Resources include mental health, emergency financial aid, housing assistance, alternative therapies, education, and more. Call (844) 907-1342.
TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc)
TAPS offers compassionate care to all those grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving in our Armed Forces or as a result of his or her service including death by suicide. Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24/7 through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones. Call 24/7 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
VET CENTERS
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Readjustment counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling are offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. Vet Center counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are Veterans themselves, are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief and transition after trauma. Vet Centers are located throughout the United States.
To learn more, contact the VA Vet Center, Chatsworth Vet Center, located at 20946 Devonshire St., Suite #101, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Phone: (818) 576-0201.
See also the Combat Call Center: 1-877-WAR-VETS (927-8387) is a 24/7 confidential call center where combat veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life. The staff is comprised of combat veterans from several eras as well as family members of combat veterans. This benefit is prepaid through the veteran’s military service.
SANTA CLARITA VETERAN SERVICES COLLABORATIVE
A gathering of dedicated business men and women, non-profit organizations, and individuals pledged to care for the interests of local veterans and their families. There is a resource guide with links for a variety of resources including counseling, medical, education, employment, housing, transportation, and legal services. Call: (661) 753-3559.
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER
The Veteran Resource Center guides veteran students and veteran dependents through the process of accessing their VA education and vocational benefits at the college's Valencia and Canyon Country campuses. For more information please contact the VRC via email at [email protected] or phone (661) 362-3469.
GUARDIANS SCV
Guardians SCV was founded in the Santa Clarita Valley in 2015 by a group of Firefighters, Military, and Law Enforcement individuals, who recognized the need to form a support community for those with similar backgrounds and experiences. The non-profit’s mission is to provide a place where like-minded individuals can meet and encourage one another to live life at their full potential. The focus is on building camaraderie through strong relationships and fostering personal growth with reflection and transparency. Guardians SCV offers weekly group meetings, activities and events to men and women firefighters, law enforcement, military members whether active, retired, or in reserves. Guardians also offers an active group in the San Fernando Valley.
Call: (661) 347-6307;
Email: [email protected];
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuardiansSCV
Instagram: https://instagram.com/GuardiansSCV
ResponderStrong
The mental, emotional, and physical impacts of emergency response work can compromise our ability to be there for our brothers and sisters in uniform, to be engaged with our families, and to protect our communities. However, when we are empowered with knowledge, tools, and resources, we can thrive and grow through this work, improving our lives and those around us.
ResponderStrong is a collaboration between Emergency Responders and their advocates. Our mission is to improve mental health supports for Emergency Responders, including Healthcare Workers, and their families through joint focuses on intervention and preventions. The website serves as a resource map for Responder-informed crisis and clinical services as well as easily accessible educational content and tools for Responders, their families, their leaders, and the clinicians who work with them.
ResponderStrong is committed to the belief that equipping Responders with the tools to protect themselves against the mental and emotional exposure of the job is vital to their overall performance and well-being — from recruitment through retirement – as well as to their families and the people and communities they serve.
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI): Veterans & Active Duty
Nearly 1 in 4 active duty members showed signs of a mental health condition, according to a
2014 study in JAMA Psychiatry. On this page we focus on questions that military personnel
often ask, concerning treatment resources, disclosure and staying healthy during the
transition to civilian life. If you are having thoughts of suicide, the Veterans Crisis Line
is available 24/7 by dialing 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1.
NAMI offers information, support and education specifically for veterans, service members
and their families. To learn more, visit the website below. You may also with to visit NAMI
Homefront. NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers
and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions. Based on
the nationally recognized NAMI Family-to-Family program, NAMI Homefront is designed to
address the unique needs of family, caregivers and friends of those who have served or are
currently serving our country. The program is taught by trained family members of service
members/veterans with mental health conditions.
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI): Frontline Professionals (Health Care and Public Safety)
Frontline professionals face many challenges in their day-to-day work life. From the pressure of protecting and caring for others to working long shirts – health care and public safety are stressful fields of work. The effects of chronic stress, cumulative trauma and shiftwork can feel overwhelming and take a toll on your mental wellness. If you are struggling, you are not alone.
NAMI is here to help. NAMI Frontline Wellness offers resources and tools developed specifically for public safety and health care professionals, and their family members. Your bravery and selflessness protect the health and safety of everyone. Your mental health and wellness matter too, and we are here to help provide support.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERAN AFFAIRS
This office of the Los Angeles County government provides resources for veterans regarding benefits, education, housing, employment, and healthcare. Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, Santa Clarita—Community and Senior Services: Walk In. 26111 Bouquet Canyon Road, Building G, Suite GO. Santa Clarita, CA 91350. Tel (661) 452-3413. Hours: 9am-4pm. Phone: (661) 254-0070; (661) 254-0071, and (661) 254-0072. See the website for other locations in Los Angeles County.
MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA of LOS ANGELES (MHALA)
Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) works to ensure that people with mental health
needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities. We serve adults and
transition-age youth who are facing mental health needs and do not have financial resources,
including Veterans and people who are or have been homeless.
In the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys, MHALA is the provider for veterans’ housing
services in Service Areas 1 and 2. We are also the provider for Housing For Health in these
areas. MHALA’s ‘Operation Healthy Homecoming’ serves veteran families who are homeless or at
risk of homelessness because they live in unstable housing situations or are experiencing
serious financial difficulties.
Eligible veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can receive
help with housing stability and sustainability, benefits assistance and personal financial
planning, and temporary financial assistance. The program also includes employment training
and job placement and coaching.
• For Long Beach: (414) 570-0241; Email: [email protected]
• For Palmdale: (661) 947-1993; Email: [email protected]
• For Newhall: (661) 430-9360; Email: [email protected]
US DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS: National Center for PTSD
The VA National Center for PTSD is the world’s leading research and educational center of excellence on PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and traumatic stress.
MENTAL HEALTH
Resources for anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, traumatic brain injury, sexual trauma, schizophrenia, substance abuse.
CENTER FOR WOMEN VETERANS (CWV): WOMEN VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH
VA Health Benefits include mental health services for Women Veterans. These include inpatient and outpatient care at VA medical centers; community-based outpatient treatment services; Vet Center support, including individual and whole-family services, for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, readjustment, substance use disorders, and other needs.
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) works to serve California veterans and their families. Its mission is to “serve and honor all California veterans by connecting them and their families with their earned benefits through education, advocacy, and direct services.” See the website for links to services and programs, or search for a provider. Contact CalVet at (800) 952-5626.
- For information on healthcare and other benefits, visit https://www.calvet.ca.gov/veteran-services-benefits/healthcare