Veteran Supportive Services Matter. Here’s Why.

Why is it so important to us that we support Veterans? Here are four reasons why help is so crucial for Veterans in need.

Our Veterans are so very important to us, and we believe so strongly in the work we are doing to support them. Female veteran and child

As our Chief Operations Officer Chip Fulghum recently said, “This is extremely hard work, but boy, is it worth it.” But sometimes, people ask: why are Veteran Supportive Services so important? We’re happy to explain. Here’s why we do what we do for Veterans and their families.

Our Veterans deserve the best.

We are so thankful for the sacrifices and services that Veterans have performed for our country. These brave men and women have put their lives, their careers, and their stability on the line so that we can stay safe on the homefront. We believe that they deserve the best care they can get for performing this brave duty.

There is a Veteran Mental Health Crisis.

According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, 30 percent of active duty and reserve military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have a mental health condition requiring treatment. However, less than 50 percent of returning Veterans in need receive any mental health treatment at all! Which is why we provide free and vital mental health services to Veterans— regardless of their role while in uniform or discharge status.

Veterans have families.

Veteran family members are the unsung heroes of the military, and we are so thankful for them. They endure long periods of separation from family members, pack up their lives and move at the drop of a hat, and spend plenty of time investing in their local communities. Because we care, our Veteran services extend beyond just Veterans and family members— from homelessness prevention to parenting support to mental health care.

Everyone deserves a new beginning.

We have found that, when we can connect Veterans to the right social services, they thrive in ways they could never have imagined (which is why the new San Antonio Veteran Wellness Center we’re building is so important). Everyone can be a highly functioning member of society when given the right tools, and our Veteran Supportive Services program is the perfect place to start. This program includes case management, emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities, job placement assistance, parenting programs, skills workshops, and more at low-to-no cost. From there, we’ll determine the next steps. Which could mean connecting the Veteran and their family members to high-quality, accessible, and integrated mental health care via The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors®, supportive employment assistance, or several other services. When our office is closed, and you need immediate support, you can still speak to a peer at Vets4Warriors.In the event of a mental health emergency, please refer to the following resources: 9-1-1, the National Veterans Crisis Hotline (800-273-8255, press 1), National Women Veterans Hotline (855-829-6639), the CHCS Crisis Line (210-223-7233), and the San Antonio Police Department Mental Health Unit (210-207-7837).