A lot is asked of our men and women in the military, whether active duty or those who have achieved veteran status. Per their service, they are required to constantly relocate, every three to four years depending on military branch. They must deploy to faraway places for training and service abroad, spending weeks and months without those closest to them.
Every day, they are asked to perform mentally and physically, with strength and stamina. They are, in principle, dissuaded from showing weakness. They are soldiers. They are warriors. They are strong.
This commanding image leaves little room for vulnerability. According to a 2014 study in JAMA Psychiatry, one in four active duty members show signs of a mental health condition, with the most common including PTSD, depression or a traumatic brain injury. The stress of being asked to perform under such rigor makes it difficult to reach out. Sometimes, the hardest part of healing from mental illness or trauma is acknowledging that you have it. In honor of Memorial Day and those who have dedicated their lives - physically, mentally and emotionally - for the security of us all, here is a list of veterans counseling services offered around the state.
Anchorage
Alaska VA Healthcare System. Provides mental health care. 1201 N. Muldoon Rd. Mon-Fri., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 907-257-4854
Anchorage Vet Center. Individual or group counseling for veterans. 4400 Business Park Blvd., Suite B-34. Mon 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tues.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 563-6966
Chris Kyle Patriot Home. For veterans seeking holistic addiction or PTSD treatment. 1650 Bragaw St. Available 24/7. 258-7575 or 1-800-478-7575 toll-free.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. Fairbanks Armory, 202 Wien St. 907-459-8729
Fairbanks Vet Center. Individual or group counseling for veterans. 540 4th Ave., Suite 100. Mon-Sat., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 907-456-4238
ResCare HomeCare. Supportive in-home services geared toward veterans care. 3407 Airport Way. Mon-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 907-891-7585
Juneau
Juneau Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. Juneau Armory, 12300 Mendenhall Loop Rd., Suite 222B. 907-523-4020
Juneau VA. Provides mental health services. Must bring gov’t ID for entry to building. 709 W. 9th St. Federal Bldg., Suite 150. Mon-Fri., 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 907-796-4300
Bethel
Bethel Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. Bethel Armory, 3704 Tower Rd. 907-543-0561
ResCare HomeCare. Supportive in-home services geared toward veterans care. 460 Ridgecrest Dr. #216. Mon-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 907-202-5116
Chugiak
Chugiak Eagle River Senior Center. Purple Heart Veterans Support Group. Meets every Thursday, 8 a.m. 22424 Birchwood Loop Rd. 907-688-2674
Dillingham
ResCare HomeCare. Supportive in-home services geared toward veterans care. 6 Main St. E., Suite 1A. Mon-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 907-891-7098
Ft. Greeley (Delta Junction)
Ft. Greeley Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. Family Readiness, Building 601, Room 22. 907-873-4906
Ft. Wainwright
Fairbanks VA. Provides mental health care. 4076 Neeley Rd., Room 1J-101. Mon-Fri., 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 907-361-6370
Army Reserve Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. Douthit Reserve Center (USAR) Bldg., 3470 Chippewa Ave. 907-384-7826
Homer
Independent Living Center. VOICE program allowing vets to receive in-home care. 265 E. Pioneer Ave., Suite 201. 907-235-7911
ResCare HomeCare. Supportive in-home services geared towards veterans care. 332 E. Pioneer Ave., Unit 2. Mon-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 907-891-7111
JBER
Air Force Reserve Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. 9443 Mundy Ave. 907-551-4746
Army Reserve Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. James E Lee Reserve Center (USAR), 45580 Otter Lake Rd. 907-384-7826
Coast Guard Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. US Coast Guard Sector Anchorage, G-Wing Bldg., 49000 Army Guard Rd. 907-428-4200
Marine Reserve Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. 15920 27th St. 907-552-7068
Navy Reserve Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. Bldg. 733. 907-384-6487
Kenai
Kenai Senior Center. On-site or in-home counselor. Accepts Medicare. 361 Senior Ct. 907-283-4156
Kenai VA. Provides mental health and social work services. 11312 Kenai Spur Hwy., Suite 39. Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm. 907-395-4119
Kodiak
Independent Living Center. VOICE program allowing vets to receive in-home care. 211 Mission Rd., #206 & #208. Contact Tonya Lee at 907-486-0493.
Nome
ResCare HomeCare. Supportive in-home services geared towards veterans care. 110 Front St., Suite 200. Mon-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 907-891-7655
Palmer
Mat-Su Senior Services. Veterans Support Group. Meets every Tues. 9 to 11 a.m. 1132 S Chugach St. 907-745-5454
Seward
Independent Living Center. VOICE program allowing vets to receive in-home care. 201 Third Ave., Suite 101B. 907-224-8711
Soldotna
Independent Living Center. VOICE program allowing vets to receive in-home care. 47255 Princeton Ave., Suite 8. 907-262-6333
Kenai Vet Center. Individual or group counseling for veterans. 43299 Kalifornsky Beach Rd., Suite 4. Mon-Fri., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 907-260-7640
ResCare HomeCare. Supportive in-home services geared towards veterans care. 44539 Sterling Hwy. #206. Mon-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 907-891-7622
Wasilla
Mat-Su Family Assistance Center. Provides counseling services and suicide prevention support. Alcantra Armory, 3401 E. Bogard Rd. 907-373-9446
Mat-Su Clinic VA. Provides mental health care. 865 N. Seward Meridian Pkwy., Suite 105. Mon-Fri., 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 907-631-3100
ResCare HomeCare. Supportive in-home services geared towards veterans care. 892 E. Usa Cir., Suite 102. Mon-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 907-891-7101
Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. (WASI). Bible Study with Chaplain. Meets every Weds. 10 to 11 a.m. Chaplain also provides counseling intervention support. 1301 S. Century Cir. 907-376-3104
Wasilla Vet Center. Individual or group counseling for veterans. 851 E. West Point Dr., Suite 102. Mon, Wed-Sat., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tues., 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 907-376-4318
Statewide
Veterans Crisis Line. Confidential crisis call center for veterans. Available 24/7. 1-800-273-8255, select option 1
Veterans Crisis Line. Crisis support for deaf and hard of hearing vets. Available 24/7. 1-800-799-4889
VA Combat Call Center. Confidential call center for combat vets. Available 24/7. 877-WAR-VETS (927-8387)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Confidential crisis call center. Available 24/7. 800-273-8255
