DBSA Depression Connection is here to support all veterans.

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• Approximately 7.3% of the U.S. population has served in the military at some point.
• About 1.2% of the U.S. population currently serves in the military (active duty, National Guard, or Reserve).
•  There are roughly 137 suicides per day in the United States. 
• Yet Veterans constitute approximately 16% of all suicides. That's 22 a day.

We have free Veterans Support groups every week (register here). Our free peer-led support groups connect you with others who understand. Share your experiences in a safe, confidential space. Find comfort, guidance, and the chance to make a real difference for yourself and others.

All services are FREE of charge, and the group is held online via Zoom. We welcome all ages, genders, branches, enlisted or officers, currently serving or retired, whether you served abroad or state-side.

We are a courageous group of caring, intelligent, and empathetic individuals (peers). We focus on self-help and connecting with a community of like-minded individuals—all in a safe, accepting, non-judgmental, and confidential peer-to-peer environment. 

DBSA Depression Connection Veterans Outreach Resources

Click here to stay up-to-date with news from Veterans Affairs.

Courage to Call gives organizations FREE training on peer support for veterans, Getting answers to resources, and supporting crisis lines. It focuses more on keeping you safe in the moment and getting you connected to crisis resources as quickly as possible.

If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves.

● Call 9-1-1 or 9-8-8 and select 1for the Veterans Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call, Text, Chat

 What happens if I call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline?

○ Bonus: You can reach an entire Spanish Language line at 1-888-628-9454.

○ Text 838255

● Start a confidential chat= Veterans Crisis Page

● 202-979-9343 ROGER = Stop Soldier Suicide

● 1-800-273-8255 = National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 

● National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

● For TTY, call 711, then 988

Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

Warmlines:

Free and confidential. They’re different from crisis lines or hotlines.

● Warmlines Listings by state

● 1 (855) VA-WOMEN Call or Text = Women Veterans Call Center

● 1 (877) 927-8387 = Veteran Combat Call Center

● 211

● 1(877) 500-WARM = National Warm Lines

● 1 (800) 854-7771 press #3

● www.crisisiconnections.org = Operation: Veteran 

○ Support Line, WA Warm Line, or Crisis Connections 

● https://dmh.lacounty.gov/veterans/ = LACDMH

● iPrevail = Online support for veterans

● Veteran Rally Points in your city 

Call 1-877-927-8387, 24/7, to reach the Vet Center Call Center and discuss your military experience or other concerns during your transition from military to civilian life. The team is composed of Veterans from several eras as well as family members of Veterans.

The Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) provides VA services and resources to women Veterans, their families, and caregivers. You can also chat online anonymously with a WVCC representative.

● Call 1-855-VA-Women (1-855-829-6636) from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday.

Connect with other Vets

● http://iava.org/ ROGER=Stop Soldier Suicide (202) 979-9343

● Find a USO

● Courage to Call (877) 698-7838

● San Diego Military Advisory Council 

● STEP: Support The Enlisted Project (858) 695-6810 & (714) 444-0075

● American Red Cross 

● United Through Reading (858) 481-7323

● San Diego Fisher House (619) 532-9055

Established Groups for Veterans 

● American Legion, 310-473-6534

● American Veterans, 310-235-7179

● California Department of Veterans Affairs, 213-620-2755

● Disabled American Veterans, 310-477-2539

● Paralyzed Veterans of America, 310-235-7796

● Vietnam Veterans of America, 310-235-7107

● Veterans of Foreign Wars, 310-235-712

Help for Homeless Veterans 

● Dial +1-877-424-3838 (1-877-4AID-VET) and Press 1, 24/7

● Chat online.

● Homeless Veterans

● VA.gov/homeless

● https://www.va.gov/greater-los-angeles-health-care/health-services/homeless-veteran-care/

VA is committed to ending homelessness among Veterans. Our focus is threefold:

1. Coordinate outreach to seek out  veterans in need of assistance proactively.
2. Connecting homeless and at-risk Veterans with housing solutions, health care, community employment services, and other required supports.
3. Collaborating with federal, state, and local agencies; employers; housing providers; faith-based and community nonprofits; and others to expand employment and affordable housing options for Veterans exiting homelessness.

For veterans ready to start their journey out of homelessness, in addition to providing healthcare, the VA administers the Transitional Housing Program (THP), which provides over 1,000 beds across the Greater Los Angeles catchment area. VA works with more than a dozen different community partners, each committed to providing Veterans in need with temporary shelter, food, and personal items to sustain them while seeking permanent housing.

Temporary Housing Hotline

For temporary housing referrals, please call 310-268-3350

Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For a Veteran who needs temporary housing shelter outside of regular business hours, please call Volunteers of America (available 24/7) at 213-563-7979.

If you do not receive a response within 30 minutes of your call, please text “Unhoused Veteran in Need of Transitional Housing” to 213-563-7979 or 213-500-7889.

Temporary Housing Program Contact List

For a comprehensive list of temporary housing providers, please click HERE.

Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program: Provider Information

Eileen Devine, LCSW

National Director of HCHV Eileen.Devine@va.gov / 503-957-3360 (cell)

The central goal of the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program is to reduce homelessness among Veterans by contracting with community-based agencies to provide short-term residential treatment to Veterans who need immediate housing placement, even as they seek permanent housing and additional care and services. 

Please visit the National HCHV Provider Website for more information regarding VA housing contracts and the solicitation process.

HCHV Fact Sheet

HCHV Frequently Asked Questions

Veterans experiencing homelessness and seeking primary care services, contact Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (HPACT) at 310-268-3566 and in Building 402 at the West LA VA.

West LA VA Community Resource and Referral Center

Veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless can walk into what is commonly referred to as “the Welcome Center” during regular business hours and get connected with a VA social worker, receive a health screening, be referred to a temporary housing program, and access other services, including free legal and employment assistance.

11301 Wilshire Blvd, Building 402, Los Angeles, CA 90073

310-268-3269

Monday - Friday

7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Basic Needs for Military & Veterans

1. 211 

2. Coastal Roots Farm*

3. Foundation for Women Warriors*

4. Gary Sinise Foundation – San Diego Chapter

5. Interfaith Community Services*

6. Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank*

7. Jewish Family Service*

8. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

9. Navy SEAL Foundation*

10. Operation Homefront California*

11. San Diego ASYMCA*

12. San Diego Habitat for Humanity

13. San Diego Military Outreach Ministries*

14. SAY San Diego (SD Military Family Collaborative)*

15. Second Chance*

16. Semper Fi Fund*

17. Spirit of Sharing*

18. Support the Enlisted Project (STEP)*

19. Veterans Village of San Diego*

20. Wounded Warrior Homes*

21. Zero8hundred*

Social & Community Connections for Military & Veterans

1. Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego*

2. Blue Star Families*

3. Camp Pendleton ASYMCA*

4. Fleet Week San Diego Foundation*

5. Gary Sinise Foundation – San Diego Chapter

6. Girl Scouts, San Diego-Imperial Council

7. Honor Flight San Diego

8. KPBS*

9. La Jolla Playhouse

10. MCRD Museum Foundation

11. Military Child Education Coalition

12. Navy SEAL Foundation*

13. Operation America Cares

14. Operation Healing Forces

15. San Diego ASYMCA*

16. San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum

17. San Diego Symphony

18. The New Children’s Museum

19. The Old Globe*

20. Travis Manion Foundation

21. United Through Reading*

22. USO San Diego*

23. Wreaths Across America*

24. YMCA of San Diego County

25. Zero8hundred*   

Veterans experiencing homelessness and seeking primary care services, contact Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams (HPACT) at 310-268-3566 and in Building 402 at the West LA VA 

Social & Community Connections for Military & Veterans

Established Groups for Veterans 

● American Legion, 310-473-6534

● American Veterans, 310-235-7179

● California Department of Veterans Affairs, 213-620-2755

● Disabled American Veterans, 310-477-2539

● Paralyzed Veterans of America, 310-235-7796

● Vietnam Veterans of America, 310-235-7107

● Veterans of Foreign Wars, 310-235-7129

● Homeless Veterans

● Women Veterans

● Minority Veterans

● LGBTQ+ Veterans

● PTSD

● Mental health

● Adaptive sports and special events

● VA outreach events

● National Resource Directory