Noteboom The Law Firm

Families At Ease Hotline Helps Veterans’ Family Members

April 1, 2011 - Veterans' mental health has never taken center stage attention like it has in the last couple of years. At the same time, military suicides are at their highest levels ever. Every branch of the military has taken their own approach toward trying to prevent the amount of suicides in their respective branches with some being much more successful than others.

For those families worried about the mindset of their veteran-family members, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suggests calling the Families At Ease hotline. The hotline will provide the family member with coaching and suggestions in how to successfully approach the veteran about seeking help.

Families At Ease spent the last year as a pilot program and is staffed by both VA psychologists and social workers. The Families At Ease line supplements the VA's other, already existing hotline, the Veterans Crisis Line, which is staffed 24-7, as opposed to the Families At Ease line, which has more limited hours.

The Families At Ease line could not have gone live at a better time. Over 50% of eligible veterans returning from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan turned to the VA for medical care. A recent survey showed 50% of VA patients are treated at some point for mental health issues. It is not just the veteran going through mental health issues, however. More often than not, their families are involved and are usually a key part in helping them heal.

There is still a stigma attached to suffering from a mental health condition, especially in the military. For those reluctant to seek treatment, it is usually very helpful when they see they have their families' support behind them. The Families At Ease hotline teaches those family members how to support those veterans seeking out help.