On Dec. 27, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Brandon Act into law as part of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act and was later made a Department of Defense policy on May 5, 2023. The Brandon Act as named after Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta who died from suicide in 2018 and creates a self-initiated referral process for service members to help identify and receive care for mental health concerns.
It’s no secret that suicides and injuries from mental health related incidents have risen significantly since the beginning of the Global War on Terror. According to the annual Department of Defense report on suicides, which was released in September 2023, the rate of service member death from suicide rose from 20.3 per 100,000 in 2015 to 29. In 2020. Because of this rising epidemic, the Department of Defense has made continuous efforts, including the Brandon Act, to improve the mental health care it provides its service members and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.
Of course, with so many resources available, it can be overwhelming to know exactly where to go to get help. So, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of resources and information service members, regardless of their rank, status, or branch of service can use to seek help for their mental health.
If you, or someone you know, is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 then press 1.
Suicide Prevention Services
Veteran Crisis Line – Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255
Veterans Crisis Line (en español) – Marque 988 y luego presione uno o envíe un mensaje de texto al 838255
Military OneSource – 1 (800) 342-9647
DoD Safe Helpline – 1 (877) 995-5247
Vet Center Call Center – 1 (877) 927-8387
SAMHSA National Helpline – 1 (800) 662-4357
Psychological Health Resource Center Live Chat – 1 (866) 966-1020
InTransition Live Chat – 1 (800) 424-7877
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors – 1 (800) 959-8277
Real Warriors Live Chat
Connecticut National Guard Services
Connecticut National Guard Chaplain – 1 (860) 548-3240
Connecticut Behavioral Health Team
CT Army National Guard SARC – 1 (860) 883-4798
103
rd Airlift Wing SARC – 1 (860) 895-3526
CT Special Victim’s Council – 1 (703) 607-2263
Medical Military Treatment Facility (Westover) – 1 (413) 557-2623
Navy Health Clinic New London – 1 (860) 694-4123
Psychological Health Care Line – 1 (855) 800-0120
Resilience, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention (R3SP) – 1 (860) 524-4926
Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Resources
Defense Suicide Prevention Office
Army Resilience
Holistic Health and Fitness
Air Force Resiliency
Navy Suicide Prevention
Marine Corps Suicide Prevention
Veteran Self-Check Quiz
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
American Mental Health Foundation
The Brandon Act
Thebrandonact.org
DOD Announces Implementation of the Brandon Act
Health.mil