Health Resources for Veterans and First Responders
According to the most recent data (2022) from USA Facts, more than 6 percent of New Jersey’s Veterans live below the poverty line, compared to nearly 9 percent of non-veterans. Approximately 30 percent of Veterans have a disability, while roughly 13 percent of the non-veterans do. The RAND organization indicates that 50 percent of Veterans experience family troubles when they return home from deployment, 40 percent find it challenging to reacclimate to civilian life, and many often face new battles such as traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and alcohol and substance addiction.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported research findings in 2024 that stated, “public safety sector workers including firefighters (structural and wildland), law enforcement officers, emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians, and corrections personnel are at a high risk of occupational exposure to traumatic events and stress.” Additionally, nearly 30 percent of first responders have depression and PTSD disorders, and assorted studies suggest that drug and alcohol misuse is approximately 40 percent.
If you’re one of the many courageous men and women in these professions, we encourage you to take Seabrook’s addiction self-test to take a closer look at how you’re feeling. We also want you to have easy access to various resources that can help. Here’s a detailed list.
Crisis Lines for Vets and First Responders
Being silent isn’t being strong. Please call one of these free, 24/7 confidential service lines to connect with someone right away.
Competent and dedicated retired officers engage with callers on the daily stressors officers and their family members experience. If preferred, callers can remain anonymous. Dial 1-800-COPLINE (267-5463).
- First Responder Hopeline
This specialized resource is available to all first responders, including emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and law enforcement officers. Call 1-866-4FL-HERO.
Call 888-777-4443 to reach Veteran volunteers who offer support to “Veterans and their families who are enduring a crisis or who have a critical need for help.”
This non-medical service provides resources for military members and their families regarding stress reduction, relationship building, and other vital support. Call 800-342-9647, or use chat, OCONUS, or VOP to connect.
Open to everyone, this organization offers additional support for children and members of the LGBTQAI+2 community. Call 800-799-7233 or use the online chat.
A team of active, retired, and former firefighters, EMS providers, and dispatchers are available to anyone in the profession who needs help. Call 888-653-3367 or start an online chat.
Call 877-717-7873 for the trauma hotline, and use the website to find a support group near you.
Call 844-317-1136 for more help through the ROGER wellness service, which offers counseling, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention that’s totally free for U.S. Veterans and service members.
This is a national network of local crisis centers that dispenses confidential emotional support for free to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Dial 988 from any phone.
Call 1-866-966-1020 or start a live chat online to access different resources for active/retired military members and their families. Also use the 24/7 live chat feature.
Dedicated to the BIPOC community by “supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color,” there’s a crisis text line (Text STEVE to 741741) and a comprehensive education center.
Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255. This therapeutic resource is open to all current and former service people, as well as family members and friends of military personnel.
More Health Resources for Veterans and First Responders
For more information about treatment for mental health issues, alcohol use disorders (AUD), substance use disorders (SUD), and other vital conditions, contact these agencies.
An anonymous and confidential helpline for New Jersey’s youth and young adults.
Here, you can connect with peer communities, find resources for specialized therapy options, and more focused assistance by disorder.
This non-profit honors servicemembers and first responders and highlights their perseverance and fortitude to overcome obstacles.
Find confidential, no-cost mental health care services available to active-duty military, guard, reservists, and Veterans, as well as spouses and caregivers.
This organization offers various resources for LGBTQAI+ youth, adults, and seniors, including peer-supported chat platforms and various helplines, such as the national hotline of 888-843-4564.
Veterans learn from each other through hundreds of shared experiences and stories of recovery.
With numerous resource outlets, a community chat platform, and a strong peer support program, MHA helps you learn more about options for better emotional and behavioral health.
An organization dedicated to survivors of emotional and sexual abuse or sexual assault with numerous support hotlines and chats.
Review the site to find various helplines, local and virtual support groups, family programs, and more.
This organization focuses on counseling, peer training, and community-based partnerships that give back to first responders in their time of need.
Access this resource for various services in a “vet-to-vet service model” so individuals feel heard and understood.
This site provides a detailed list of additional hotlines for survivors of domestic abuse, rape, and other tragedies.
When you need someone who will listen compassionately and help you work through a problem or offer support outreach, this peer-based connection is staffed by other people managing mental health.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers comprehensive health programs including, but not limited to:
- Caregiver Support Services
- Military Sexual Trauma
- Solid Start
- Transition Assistance Program
- Women Veterans Health Care
- VetChange
Also, make sure to review the extensive list of resources offered by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Seabrook’s Unit of Support
Seabrook’s four award-winning addiction treatment centers in New Jersey are Veteran-Ready and trauma-informed. Our board-certified professionals specialize in helping Veterans and first responders through services such as Tactical Recovery, brainspotting for trauma release, EMDR for trauma recovery, and more. You can count on us—talk to a member of our admissions team to learn more.
