CDC Guidance on Staying Up to Date With Your Vaccines — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidance on who should get a booster, and when, based on which vaccine they initially received.

Coronavirus FAQs: What Veterans need to know — This page provides information on how Veterans can get tested for COVID-19 at VA as well as answers to other common questions.

FDA COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions — The U.S. Food & Drug Administration regularly maintains this page with information about COVID-19 prevention, vaccines, and treatments.

Increasing Comfort with Wearing Masks During Coronavirus (COVID-19) — Even as Americans are being vaccinated, the recommendation to wear masks in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 might last a good deal longer. VA provides Veterans with strategies to increase comfort with wearing masks. Tips for providers are also available.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, stressful situations and changes in your regular schedule can create challenges for those living with mental health issues. During times of physical distancing, it is normal to have increased feelings of loneliness, sadness, fear, or anxiety. Staying socially connected while keeping a daily schedule will help maintain and promote mental wellbeing during these uncertain times. It’s understandable that you may feel worried in these moments but use these resources to make your mental health a priority and seek ways to cope during these challenging times. For more information, reach out to your local VA facility and ask to speak with a provider.

Mood Disorders

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance — A national organization that supports people with depression and bipolar disorder and their families. Its website provides information and resources for managing mental health and features a search function to find online support groups.
• Living with Bipolar Disorder — This webpage offers self-help tips for maintaining your mental health.

Traumatic Brain Injury

• Case managers are ready to help answer questions and provide education and support.
• Concussion Coach — A mobile phone application and tool for assessing and managing symptoms associated with mild to moderate concussion.
• The Polytrauma/TBI System of Care — This website provides information about the services and programs available for Veterans with TBI.

Schizophrenia

• Information About Schizophrenia — A source of information on diagnosis, treatment, and support from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
• VetChange — a free, online program for Veterans who are concerned about their drinking.

Military Sexual Trauma

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) — Call 1‑800‑656‑4673 (HOPE) for resources that provide support after sexual assault.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 1‑800‑799‑7233, text LOVEIS to 22522, or chat online for free and confidential support for Veterans experiencing intimate partner violence.

Tobacco Use

• Quit VET (1‑855‑QUIT‑VET, 1‑855‑784‑8838) — Call to speak to a tobacco cessation counselor between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday in English or Spanish. Quit VET connects Veterans to a trained counselor who can help develop a quit plan and provide ongoing counseling and support to prevent relapse.
• Sign up for SmokefreeVET to receive texts with encouragement and support by texting VET to 47848. (For Spanish text VETESP to 47848). The benefits of signing up include regular text messages and tips when you text keywords URGE, STRESS, or SMOKED.
• Follow the SmokefreeVET Facebook page for tips and encouragement from other Veterans.
• Veterans Health Administration’s Stop Smoking YouTube Channel — Features stories of others who have stopped smoking as well as tips to help you stop using tobacco.

Substance Use Disorder

• Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program — Provides information on opioid safety and how to identify an overdose. Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can be used for opioid-related overdose, and it is available at many community pharmacies, from health departments, and free of charge for Veterans through VA.

Stress

• National Center for PTSD COVID-19 Resources for Managing Stress — This page provides practical steps for Veterans to manage stress related to COVID-19.
• CDC Guidance on Coping with Stress — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers guidance on managing stress and taking care of your mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

My HealtheVet  — If you're a Veteran receiving VA health care, you can communicate with your care team, track your health information, and access your VA health records from your computer or mobile device. This site describes and provides links to connected care technologies for Veterans.

VA Office of Connected Care Veterans Webpage — This page provides information, FAQs, and videos to help Veterans use and launch VA Video Connect in their web browsers or download it from Apple or Google Play for mobile devices. VA Video Connect provides secure video visits with your VA care team from anywhere.

Unemployment Benefits — An update to this website provides information on the new federal law allowing states to change their unemployment insurance benefits for workers affected by COVID-19 as well as links to state unemployment insurance websites.

VA Benefits (General and GI Bill Page) — This webpage provides updates and information on financial and other forms of assistance to Veterans and their dependents.

VA Debt Relief Options — This page includes the latest info on VA’s financial relief actions and time limit extensions related to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit — This webpage offers guidance for managing and responding to signs of stress in children and young adults.

Psych Armor S.A.V.E. — This course is designed to help individuals identify a Veteran who may be at risk for suicide and explains what to do once risk is identified.

Veterans Crisis Line — The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders. Call 988 and Press 1, text to 838255, or chat online to receive confidential crisis intervention and support, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

VA Suicide Prevention Page — This website provides information on suicide risk and prevention and links to VA and external sources of support for Veterans and their families in need of mental health support. Download the household safety risks brochure for more information on the safe storage of firearms and medication in your home, and follow these tips:

• Keep firearms locked and unloaded, and separate firearms from ammunition when they’re not in use. Learn more at nssf.org/safety.
• Medications should be safely and securely stored when they are not in use.
• By practicing safe storage of firearms and medications, you can reduce the risk for suicide or injury for everyone in your home, including children who may be visiting or living with you.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors — Grief and bereavement are a normal part of life, and more Americans may face the loss of loved ones as the COVID-19 outbreak continues. This program connects Veterans and their families to grief counseling and support.

#LiveWholeHealth Blog Series — This series highlights self-care resources — such as video sessions for yoga or meditation—that Veterans can experience at home. The blogs feature breathing exercises, stretching, meditation, fitness, yoga, tai chi, and more.

Mental Health Apps for Veterans — These apps help Veterans manage feelings of stress and anxiety and also remain in contact with their VA care providers.

Veteran Training — This online, self-paced course is designed to help Veterans improve their quality of sleep as well as their problem-solving, anger management, and parenting skills.

VA Nutrition and Food Services Food Insecurity Page — This page provides resources to promote food security among Veterans, including educational handouts and links to COVID-19 specific information.