Veterans

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Show Your Stripes

iHeart is committed to creating a more supportive world for veterans returning home and to connecting veterans and their families with communities, businesses, resources, programs and nonprofits that support their different wellness needs and that are contributing to their overall wellbeing.

Show Your Stripes is built upon the 8 dimensions of wellness— emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual wellness.

Emotional Wellness

Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships.

Emotional
Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness means the ability to express feelings, adjust to emotional challenges and cope with life’s stressors in ways that let you enjoy life. It includes knowing our strengths as well as what we want to get better at, and living and working on our own -- but letting others help us from time to time.

Every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life. Working toward all of them in one way or another is a great goal, because wellness relates directly to the quality of a person’s life.
Mental Health/Telehealth
Millions of veterans and their families are living with mental and physical scars from serving their country during military service.

Home Base Veteran and Family Care operates the nation’s premier clinical program for the invisible wounds of war delivering innovative care solutions and treatment for the full spectrum of invisible wounds to include post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression, co-occurring substance use disorder, military sexual trauma, family relationship challenges and other issues associated with military service.

Home Base services are specifically designed to overcome common barriers to care. All care is provided to veterans and their families at no cost regardless of discharge status.

Home Base offers the first in the nation two-week accelerated Intensive Clinical Program (ICP) which combines a personalized comprehensive evaluation, individual and group therapy, stress reduction and resiliency, fitness and nutrition, family support and education. What would normally be a two-year course of treatment is compressed into two weeks and leverages the incredible resources of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

Connect with Care
VA Mental Health Services Guide
Get started with Mental Health Services. This guide from the U.S. Veterans Administration will help you access mental health services, which may include treatment and support for mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, substance use problems and anxiety-related conditions.
Family Support
When a family member serves in the military it impacts the entire family. Through a professional staff of counselors, social workers and recreation therapists, Project Sanctuary supports not just the veteran, but their whole family -- including caregivers -- to help create multi-generational change toward positive healthy habits for at-risk military families.

Therapeutic Retreats: Project Sanctuary hosts approximately 30 retreats annually across the country and are staffed and designed by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists and licensed counselors. Family Support Program: Project Sanctuary offers services led by licensed clinical staff for all military and veterans’ families, and can include financial assistance, counseling referrals and connection to services offered by collaborating partners.

Destination Resource Weekends: These two-day events are offered three times a year to military and veteran singles or couples to focus on their unique and personalized needs.

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Coping Mechanisms
Journaling
Living a healthy and productive life with mental illness is possible, but requires healthy outlets and coping mechanisms. Journaling has been proven to be one of the most effective -- and therapist/counselor-recommended -- coping mechanisms for managing mental illness.
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Yoga, Meditation and Practicing Mindfulness Meditation
has long been acknowledged as a tool to help cope with stress.
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Reducing Stress
Developing a personalized approach to reducing stress can help you manage your mental health and improve your quality of life.
Accept your needs
Recognize what your triggers are. What situations make you feel physically and mentally agitated? Once you know this, you can avoid them when it's reasonable to, and to cope when you can't.
Manage your time
Prioritizing your activities can help you use your time well. Making a day-to-day schedule helps ensure you don't feel overwhelmed by everyday tasks and deadlines.
Practice relaxation
Deep breathing, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation are good ways to calm yourself. Taking a break to refocus can have benefits beyond the immediate moment.
Exercise daily
Schedule time to walk outside, bike or join a dance class. Whatever you do, make sure it's fun. Daily exercise naturally produces stress-relieving hormones in your body and improves your overall physical health.
Set aside time for yourself
Schedule something that makes you feel good. It might be reading a book, go to the movies, get a massage or take your dog for a walk.
Eat Well
Eating unprocessed foods, like whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruit is the foundation for a healthy body and mind. Eating well can also help stabilize your mood.
Get enough sleep
Symptoms of some mental health conditions, like mania in bipolar disorder, can be triggered by getting too little sleep.
Avoid alcohol and drugs
They don't actually reduce stress: in fact, they often worsen it. If you're struggling with substance abuse, educate yourself and get help.
Talk to someone
Whether to friends, family, a counselor or a support group, airing out and talking can help. Consider attending a NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group.
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Mobile Apps
Self Help Apps by the VA Browse and download tools by the VA to help deal with common feelings like stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your feelings over time.
More Info
Mindfulness Exercises
Sometimes the best way to move forward is to pause for a moment to refresh and recharge.

Chill Drills by Military OneSource is a collection of simple audio mindfulness exercises to relax the body and mind. The Department of Defense developed these relaxation exercises for the military community and are free to service members and their families via the mobile app or the Military OneSource website.
Download the Chill Drills by Military OneSource App
The National Alliance for Mental Illness
NAMI Homefront is a free online suite of resources for caregivers, family members, and military service members and veterans designed to increase understanding, communication, wellness and advocacy skills.
Accessible through computers or mobile devices, NAMI Homefront Mental Health Resources is available 24/7 and includes information about:
  • Mental health conditions
  • Treatment options
  • Approaches to increase overall wellness
  • Tips for self-care and managing stress
  • Communication strategies
  • Transitioning from military to civilian life
  • Links to helpful organizations and crisis services
  • And more!

    • Find the NAMI Homefront nearest to you

    Physical Wellness

    Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, appropriate healthcare and sleep.

    Physical
    Physical Wellness
    Physical wellness means everything from a healthy body to good physical health habits, nutrition, exercise, and appropriate healthcare. We can get there by choosing things that make our body feel good and trimming back the things that bring us down. We can also feel better by creating a routine that balances activity with inactivity, and that is manageable within our obligations and needs.

    Every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life. And because wellness relates directly to the quality of every person’s life, working toward improvement in all of these aspects in one way or another is a great and achievable goal.
    Community Care Providers
    Taking care of your physical health and keeping up with annual exams and screenings is the cornerstone of preventive care and crucial to staying healthy. Find a VA location or in-network community care provider. For same-day care for minor illnesses or injuries, select Urgent care for facility type.

    Find a Location
    VA Adaptive Sports Programs
    The Department of Veterans Affairs National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events operates a group of adaptive sports and creative arts programs for veterans. They are designed to promote healing and community among disabled veterans and their loved ones.
    There are six VA sports programs nationwide:
  • National Veterans Wheelchair Games
  • National Veterans Golden Age Games
  • National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic
  • National Disabled Veterans T.E.E. (Training, Exposure, Experience) Tournament
  • National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic
  • National Veterans Creative Arts Competition and Festival

    • Learn More and Register
    Medicare for Veterans
    Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage for older adults and some younger adults with disabilities. If you have VA benefits as a result of your military service, you may be wondering if it’s worth signing up for Medicare when you already have access to care at VA facilities. For many veterans, enrolling in Medicare offers an extra level of protection against high out-of-pocket medical costs. Medicare coverage can also give you more flexibility when it comes to choosing the doctors and hospitals that provide your care.

    Learn more about how Medicare works with your VA benefits.

    Learn More
    My HealthVet
    My HealtheVet is the VA's Personal Health Record, and is designed for veterans, servicemembers, caregivers and others to help them gain a better understanding of individual health status. My HealtheVet offers tips and tools to help you partner with your healthcare team, so you can work together to manage your health.

    Learn More
    VA Wellness Programs
    The VA offers an array of programs focused on health and wellness that offer information, resources, and treatment options to help veterans stay healthy. Find out how to get help quitting tobacco use, preventing disease, managing your weight, and maintaining your mental health.

    Learn More
    Medical Care Support
    Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a nonprofit organization that drives veterans to medical appointments, assists them in filing benefit claims (e.g., VA health benefits or Medicare health insurance) with the government and helps vets with medical, employment and other general needs.

    Learn More
    The following organizations also provide services and programs similar to DAV that have a national reach and access to resources across the range of different dimensions of wellness. Chances are there is a chapter in your community.

  • American Legion
  • American Veterans (AMVETS)
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
  • Blinded Veterans Association (BVA)
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
    • Veterans Yoga Project
    Veterans Yoga Project (VYP) is an educational and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of military veterans. Working in partnership with veterans, active-duty military personnel, student veterans’ organizations and other nonprofit organizations, VYP-trained instructors teach over 100 free yoga classes each week for veterans and their families. By providing support to all veterans, whether they are currently struggling with severe symptoms or focused on increasing resilience and giving back to others, Veterans Yoga Project is doing its part to serve those who serve.

    Learn More

    Social Wellness

    Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system.

    Social
    Social Wellness
    Social wellness means healthy relationships with friends, family and your community, and having an interest in, and concern for, the needs of others.

    Every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life. And because wellness relates directly to the quality of every person’s life, working toward improvement in all of these aspects in one way or another is a great and achievable goal.
    Peer-to-Peer Support
    Developing a support system of people who have shared many of the same experiences as you can help you discover new solutions and reach overall wellness in all areas of your life. Vets4Warriors’ peer-to-peer support provides immediate, free and long-term peer support through confidential phone, chat, text and email conversations to help veterans live better lives. The 24/7-peer support network for veteran and military communities is 100% staffed by trained veterans and members of the military community.

    Connect Now
    Family Wellness Programs
    Hope For The Warriors recognizes that wrap-around support of the entire military and veteran family is critically important to the recovery and the overall wellbeing of the whole family.

    Some ofthe organizations' offerings include:

  • Family Wellness Events
  • Military and Veteran Caregiver Support Services
  • Military Child Initiative

    • Learn More
    Community Volunteer Opportunities
    Volunteering in your local community is a great way to develop a sense of community and purpose. As a veteran, you are a highly trained individual and have many skills that will benefit your community and make a real difference in the lives of others. Volunteer Match has connected millions of people with great places to volunteer, and has helped tens of thousands of organizations better leverage volunteers to create real impact.

    Find Local Volunteer Opportunities in your area
    Talk to Other Veterans Online
    Build peer to peer relationships with military service members, veterans, family members, caregivers, survivors and supporters. Ask questions, discuss timely issues, share photos and stories and connect with members in a secure environment.

    Learn More
    Find Local Veteran Events
    Local Team Red, White & Blue chapters deliver virtual and local, consistent and inclusive opportunities for veterans and the community to connect through physical and social activity. Volunteers host regular fitness activities, social gatherings and community service events, and facilitate building strong local connections with members and organizations within the community.

    Find a chapter in your area

    Occupational Wellness

    Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work.

    Occupational
    Occupational Wellness
    Occupational wellness means participating in activities that provide meaning and purpose and that reflect personal values, interests and beliefs, including employment.

    Every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life. And because wellness relates directly to the quality of every person’s life, working toward improvement in all of these aspects in one way or another is a great and achievable goal.
    Find Local Employment Help
    Get free one-one help writing your resume and in-person tips for going on a job interview.

    Find Nearest Location
    State Resources Finder
    Find state employment, social services and general government information.

    Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners
    Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners Join an active community of military-connected entrepreneurs and small business owners to help you launch, grow and scale your business. Bunker Labs connects military-connected entrepreneurs and small business owners to practical tools and resources that help them excel.

    Learn More
    Employer Connection Resources
    Hiring Our Heroes is a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities. Hiring Our Heroes works with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vast network of state and local chambers and strategic partners from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to bridge the civilian-military divide within the business community. Connect-->

    Connect
    Career Coaching
    ACP's free nationwide mentoring program connects post 9/11 veterans to mentors and focuses on helping veterans and active duty spouses find meaningful employment opportunities and develop long-term careers.

    ACP Programs Include:
  • ACP’s Women’s Veteran Mentoring Program
  • ACP AdvisorNet
  • ACP's Active Duty Spouse Program

    • More than 20,000 veterans have successfully completed the ACP Program.

    Learn More
    Institute for Veterans and Military Families
    The Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University is committed to supporting veterans and their families as they navigate their entrepreneurial journey. Whether you are just formulating the idea in your head and don’t know where to start, or if you are on your third year and are ready to take that next big step, IVMF will arm you for success in entrepreneurship.

    Explore programs in career, vocations and entrepreneurship education.

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    Transitioning Service Members
    If you are a service member within six months of transitioning, discover opportunities to participate in training and development with industry and employers who are seeking the high-quality skills that military members bring to the table.

    The U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program is an excellent opportunity for future veterans to gain valuable career training and work experience while still serving on active duty. This program greatly enhances the marketability and post-separation career prospects of participating service members.

    Learn More

    Financial Wellness

    Satisfaction with current and future financial situations.

    Financial Hardship
    Financial Wellness
    There are many definitions of what constitutes financial wellbeing. Financial wellness involves income, debt and savings, as well as a person’s understanding of financial processes and resources, and a person’s satisfaction with their current financial situation and future prospects.

    Every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life. And because wellness relates directly to the quality of every person’s life, working toward improvement in all of these aspects in one way or another is a great and achievable goal.
    Financial Wellness Assessment
    Explore how well you're spending, planning, and protecting your money and assets, and get tips to do better.

    Explore Tips
    Free Financial Wellness Webinars
    Prudential Pathways Financial Wellness webinars offer practical information to help give you an understanding of the fundamentals of financial wellness through educational seminars. All financial education webinars are free and designed to help you tackle your personal finances.

    Register Now
    Financial Literacy
    All too often military members arrive back home in debt, struggle to find employment and some feel forced to turn to short-term high interest loans to pay their bills with loans made by predatory lenders. Key to managing your financial future is financial literacy.

    VeteransPlus helps veterans and their families secure financial freedom through education, coaching and financial literacy programs. From presentations at outreach events to in-depth personalized financial coaching by phone, their team of veteran educators and counselors have a proven record of “Helping Heroes Afford Life”.

    Learn More
    Credit and Debt Management
    From credit cards to personal loans, nothing drags down your financial life like debt. Prudential offers free debt consultations through GreenPath, a national nonprofit that helps people learn to tackle their debt, lower their stress and live a healthy financial life.

    Call today for a free, confidential consultation to:
  • Discuss your financial situation and goals.
  • Learn how to get out of debt.
  • Get a personalized action plan for meeting your goals.
  • Learn if an optional, fee-based debt-management program makes sense for you. (Fee varies by state.)

    • Learn More
    Unemployment/CARES ACT
    A significant number of veterans are in the high-risk category for coronavirus disease due to age or underlying medical conditions -- and millions fall at or below the poverty line. At a time like this, it’s critical to provide veterans and their families with resources to navigate the uncertainty ahead.

    The Department of Labor Unemployment portal provides a central location to explore unemployment benefits and benefits available under the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security)—broken down by state.

    Search More
    Free Financial Resources
    Many government agencies and non-profits offer free financial resources to consumers, and several are designed specifically for Veterans, Service members and families.

    Find helpful and free resources from government agencies and nonprofits.

    Click Here

    Environmental Wellness

    Good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being.

    Environmental
    Environmental Wellness
    Environmental wellness involves being able to be safe and feel safe. This can include everything from the ability to access clean air, food, and water to preserving the areas where we live, learn, and work, occupying environments that support our well-being, and promoting learning, contemplation, and relaxation in natural places and spaces.

    Every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life. And because wellness relates directly to the quality of every person’s life, working toward improvement in all of these aspects in one way or another is a great and achievable goal.
    Housing Solutions
    There are few factors more important to a veteran's long-term success and wellbeing than being able to call someplace their home. But for the roughly 200,000 veterans who transition from the military to the civilian world each year, navigating the ins and outs of the housing market and finding affordable housing can be overwhelming. This includes everything from providing veterans access to affordable housing and providing introductions to the mortgage market to offering education on fair housing, foreclosure prevention, and pre-purchase preparation, and connecting homeless veterans with transitional and permanent housing.

    Soldier On is a nationally-recognized non-profit whose mission is to offer a continuum of care that includes immediate and long-term housing with services delivered where veterans live. Their goal is to provide formerly homeless veterans with permanent, supportive, sustainable housing -- assisting veterans in their transition from homelessness to home ownership.

    Learn More
    Homes For Our Troops
    Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) builds specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans so they may live in a safe and barrier-free environment. These fully accessible homes restore some of the freedom and independence our veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives.

    Homes For Our Troops donates newly constructed, specially adapted custom homes designed for maximum freedom of movement and the ability to live more independently.

    Learn More
    Driving Program for Veterans
    In collaboration with the Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence, Hope For The Warriors’ Drive for Hope® is a comprehensive driving program designed to help service members and veterans regain the independence that was lost as a result of a catastrophic injury. From working with medical providers to behind-the-wheel training in adaptive vehicles, Drive for Hope will be there every step of the way.

    Hope For The Warriors’ Drive for Hope program helps veterans maintain independent driving and transportation, allowing individuals to exercise autonomy; return to work; increase participation in family activities; and reintegrate back into their communities, while reclaiming roles which may have been lost due to injury or medical conditions.

    Apply for services
    Discover the Forest
    Spending time in nature provides numerous benefits for families, presenting both bonding opportunities and the chance to instill a lifelong love for the outdoors. The Discover the Forest campaign encourages people of all ages to experience the outdoors with their family to strengthen their connection with nature and each other.

    Make the forest part of your family's story. Find a forest or park near you to get started.

    Discover the forest
    Free Entrance to All National Parks in The U.S.
    How does a veteran gain free entrance to a national park?

    In national parks that charge an entrance fee, a veteran will need to present one of the following forms of identification to receive a free annual Interagency Military Pass:

  • Department of Defense Identification Card (non-expired CAC Card)
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) - Veteran ID Card
  • Veteran ID Card
  • Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card

    • How does a Gold Star Family gain free access to a national park?

    Before visiting a national park site, Gold Star Family members must download and print a voucher to present to park staff, exchange for an annual Interagency Military Pass, or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites (representations of the voucher are prohibited; the physical voucher or pass must be present).

    View a list of federal locations that issue passes.

    View List

    Intellectual Wellness

    Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills.

    Intellectual
    Intellectual Wellness
    Intellectual wellness involves things that keep our brains active and our intellect expanding. Through a number of activities — from learning about current events to organizing game nights in your home or community center — you can broaden your perspective and understand diverse points of view.

    Every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life. And because wellness relates directly to the quality of every person’s life, working toward improvement in all of these aspects in one way or another is a great and achievable goal.
    Post-9/11 GI Bill and The Yellow Ribbon Program
    The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) helps veterans pay for school or job training. Veterans who served on active duty after September 10, 2001, may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). In addition, the Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover.

    Free help with your GI Bill and student rights is available at Help@VetsEdSuccess.Org
    Student Veterans of America (SVA)
    Through a network of more than 1,500 on-campus chapters representing more than 750,000 student veterans, SVA ensures that student veterans and military-connected students achieve their greatest potential. SVA elevates the academic, professional and personal development of veterans in higher education through chapter programs and services, outcomes and impacts research and advocacy at every level.

    Find a campus chapter
    Educational Resources
    Returning to school can have a tremendous impact on the life of veterans transitioning to civilian life.

    There are many resources to help veterans navigate going back to school:
    GI Bill Comparison Tool - Launched by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the GI Tool Comparison helps veterans find data on every college and training program eligible for the GI Bill. Found out how much tuition assistance you are eligible for at the schools of your choice.

    Find Out
    College Scorecard - Launched by the U.S. Education Department, the College Scorecard allows comparison of colleges and searches by the program you want or region of the country; includes earnings after graduation and average debt load.

    Leanr More
    Community College Finder - find an affordable community college in your community and get started on your educational and new career journey.

    College Finder
    Veteran Scholarships
    There are hundreds of millions of dollars in scholarship funds available for veterans; each scholarship has its own eligibility and selection criteria.
    Scholarship search tool
    Use the TAPS scholarship search tool to see what scholarships and grants you may be eligible for.

    Search Tool
    FEDERAL BENEFITS
    Marine Gunnery SGT. John D. Fry scholarship (Fry, CFR Chapter 33)

    More Info

    Survivors and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA, CFR Chapter 35)

    More Info
    Military Family Support
    Military Spouse Employment Courses (bold) PsychArmor’s Military Spouse Employment portfolio of courses educates employers and military spouses on the many attributes of military spouse employees. It also teaches military spouses the basics of job searching, including resume writing, how to search for a job, how to network, how to tell their story in a job interview, and even how to re-enter the workforce with confidence.

    Learn More
    Support for Military-Connected Children
    The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle. Their goals are to ensure that (1) military-connected children’s academic, social and emotional needs are recognized, supported and appropriate responses provided; (2) parents and other supporting adults are empowered with the knowledge to ensure military-connected children are college-, workforce- and life-ready; and (3) a strong community of partners is committed to support an environment where military-connected children thrive.

    Learn More

    Spiritual Wellness

    Expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

    Spiritual
    Spiritual Wellness
    Spiritual wellness represents personal beliefs and values and involves having meaning, purpose, and a sense of balance and peace. It includes recognizing our search for meaning and purpose in human existence and developing an appreciation for life and the natural forces that exist in the universe.

    Every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life. And because wellness relates directly to the quality of every person’s life, working toward improvement in all of these aspects in one way or another is a great and achievable goal.
    Signs of Spiritual distress
  • Loss of direction
  • Sense of emptiness/feeling alone in the world
  • Hopelessness and helplessness
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Self-destructive language
  • Bitter or jaded outlook on life
  • Fearfulness, dissociation
  • Anger at God/higher power
    • Improving Spiritual Wellness
    Find some “quiet time.” It’s easy to feel worn out and stressed at the end of a long day, especially for service members experiencing stressors related to deployment or managing the balance between military and civilian life. Fit some quiet time into your day to recharge your inner battery where you can observe the present moment, pray or read something uplifting.

    Say something. Preferably out loud. Many faiths believe you can shape your world by speaking aloud the world you want to manifest. In psychology, the same idea is behind the recitation of affirmations. Whatever you believe, speaking your intentions out loud can change your thoughts and ultimately have a positive effect on your life.

    Ask the big questions. “What am I doing here?” “What does it all mean?” The quest for greater truth begins with big questions, and you’re not only allowed to ask -- you’re allowed to answer. Contemplating the meaning of life and seeking your greater purpose teaches the importance of the present moment and opens you to the infinite possibilities that lie ahead for your life.

    Find out what you believe. Determining a set of values begins with discovering what’s important to you. Is tolerance important? Is it important to defend those who cannot defend themselves? Is love important above all things? Defining your values gives you a framework to live by – and it’s important to revisit them from time to time to see if they’ve changed.

    Be true to yourself. Living authentically can offer tremendous benefits. When you honor your true self you are stronger in adversity and a better leader to your peers. Best of all, your confidence will rub off on your friends.

    View a list of federal locations that issue passes.

    Learn More

    Wellness - -
    And Why It's Important

    Wellness is about more than health -- it also includes emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing, and every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life.

    Veterans and their families often face difficult and unique physical and mental challenges, some as a result of war trauma. Often the approach in dealing with these challenges is a clinical diagnosis. But wellness is more than a clinical diagnosis; it is conscious, self-directed and evolving; holistic and multidimensional; positive and affirming; and inclusive. Programs and services that focus on the eight dimensions of wellness enhance the natural resiliency of veterans and their families and place them on a path to becoming successful, productive leaders and members of their community, and our goal is to offer broad recommendations and resources that can contribute to a person’s overall wellness..

    Local & Individualized Support

    Browse other relevant resources to help you achieve overall wellness.

    Are You a Veteran in Crisis?

    Access free, confidential support 24/7.

    Connect Now

    National Resources Directory

    Access national, state and local services and resources.

    Access Directory

    Find a Local DAV Service Office

    Locate a DAV national service office nearest you.

    Find Location

    NAMI Homefront

    Health, wellness and recovery resources

    Learn More

    eBenefits

    Access and manage benefits, claims and documents.

    Learn More

    Homebase Nation Podcast

    Home Base Nation podcast brings you discussions on thriving beyond surviving.

    Listen Now

    Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services

    If you are an individual, organization, or community that wants to contribute to the overall wellbeing of veterans and their families, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services is a resource for ideas, influence, and actions.

    Learn More

    Some of Our Great Partners