Crisis supportVeterans Crisis Line
ALL24/7 confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones.
Verified Feb 26, 2026Updated Jun 15, 2026
Veteran Mental Health Support in Texas
Complete guide to veteran mental health care in Texas. VA mental health services, Vet Centers, PTSD treatment, Texas-specific state programs, and the Veterans Crisis Line.
How mental health help works in Texas
Skip to who to callTexas is home to approximately 1.5 million veterans, and mental health support is one of the most important — and most underused — benefits available to them. Whether you're dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use, or the stress of transitioning to civilian life, Texas veterans have access to free and low-cost care through the VA, Vet Centers, and programs the state itself runs. Texas runs one of the nation's largest state veteran mental health systems: the Military Veteran Peer Network puts trained veteran peers in communities across the state, and Texas Veterans + Family Alliance grants fund free counseling for veterans and their families in dozens of counties.
This guide explains every major mental health resource available to Texas veterans — federal and state — including what each program covers, who qualifies, and exactly who to call first. If you are in crisis right now, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. It's free, confidential, and available 24/7 — no VA enrollment required.
- Call Texas Veterans Commission, the fastest first call for mental health help in Texas.
- Pick the program that fits from the verified list and program explainers below.
- Apply with your DD-214 and VA letters handy, and follow up within a week.
Need help now? Start here.
Texas Veterans Commission is the fastest first call for veteran mental health help in Texas.
In a crisis? Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1, or text 838255. Available 24/7.
Verified mental health help in Texas: who to call
39 verified mental health resources serving Texas. Crisis and fastest-path options are listed first.
Crisis supportCorpus Christi VA Outpatient Clinic
Corpus Christi, TXDepartment of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Corpus Christi, TX veterans with primary care, mental health, and specialty services.
Use the VA find-locations tool to confirm hours, services, and the closest clinic.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis supportEl Paso VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
El Paso, TXVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for El Paso, TX veterans.
CBOCs deliver primary care, mental health, and select specialty services closer to home than the parent VA medical center.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis supportVeteran Mental Health Resources
TXCrisisVisit website
Verified Aug 22, 2026Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis supportEl Paso VA Health Care System
El Paso, TXDepartment of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving El Paso, TX veterans with primary care, mental health, and specialty services.
Use the VA find-locations tool to confirm hours, services, and the closest clinic.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis supportHouston VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Houston, TXVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Houston, TX veterans.
CBOCs deliver primary care, mental health, and select specialty services closer to home than the parent VA medical center.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis support2-1-1 Housing Help for Corpus Christi Veterans
Corpus Christi, TXDial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Corpus Christi-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach.
Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis support2-1-1 Housing Help for Houston Veterans
Houston, TXDial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Houston-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach.
Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.
Verified Jul 20, 2026Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis supportFort Worth VA Outpatient Clinic
Fort Worth, TXDepartment of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Fort Worth, TX veterans with primary care, mental health, and specialty services.
Use the VA find-locations tool to confirm hours, services, and the closest clinic.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis supportAustin VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Austin, TXVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Austin, TX veterans.
CBOCs deliver primary care, mental health, and select specialty services closer to home than the parent VA medical center.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis support2-1-1 Housing Help for Fort Worth Veterans
Fort Worth, TXDial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Fort Worth-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach.
Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.
Verified Jul 20, 2026Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis supportDallas VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Dallas, TXVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Dallas, TX veterans.
CBOCs deliver primary care, mental health, and select specialty services closer to home than the parent VA medical center.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis supportVA North Texas Health Care System (Dallas)
Dallas, TXDepartment of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Dallas, TX veterans with primary care, mental health, and specialty services.
Use the VA find-locations tool to confirm hours, services, and the closest clinic.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis supportMichael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Houston, TXDepartment of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Houston, TX veterans with primary care, mental health, and specialty services.
Use the VA find-locations tool to confirm hours, services, and the closest clinic.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis support2-1-1 Housing Help for Dallas Veterans
Dallas, TXDial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Dallas-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach.
Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.
Verified Jul 20, 2026Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis support2-1-1 Housing Help for San Antonio Veterans
San Antonio, TXDial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for San Antonio-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach.
Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.
Verified Jul 20, 2026Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis supportOlin E. Teague Veterans Medical Center (Temple)
Killeen, TXDepartment of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Killeen, TX veterans with primary care, mental health, and specialty services.
Use the VA find-locations tool to confirm hours, services, and the closest clinic.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Texas Veterans Commission - Healthcare Programs
TXThe Texas Veterans Commission administers Texas-specific veteran healthcare programs and benefits and connects veterans with accredited service officers, state benefits, and local resources.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Austin Vet Center
Austin, TXCommunity-based VA Vet Center serving Austin area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support.
Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.
HealthcareVisit website
Updated Sep 10, 2026
El Paso Vet Center
El Paso, TXCommunity-based VA Vet Center serving El Paso area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support.
Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.
HealthcareVisit website
Updated Sep 10, 2026
San Antonio Vet Center
San Antonio, TXCommunity-based VA Vet Center serving San Antonio area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support.
Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.
HealthcareVisit website
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Houston Vet Center
Houston, TXCommunity-based VA Vet Center serving Houston area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support.
Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.
HealthcareVisit website
Updated Sep 9, 2026
Find VA Medical Facilities in Texas
TXLocate VA medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics, and Vet Centers serving Texas veterans.
Confirm services, hours, and the closest location using the VA facility locator.
Updated Sep 9, 2026
Corpus Christi Vet Center
Corpus Christi, TXCommunity-based VA Vet Center serving Corpus Christi area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support.
Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.
HealthcareVisit website
Updated Sep 9, 2026
Crisis supportVA Homeless Veteran Programs
ALLComprehensive programs for homeless veterans including outreach, health care, housing, and employment assistance.
Verified Feb 26, 2026Updated Aug 13, 2026
Texas mental health programs, explained
How each program works, who qualifies, and how state and federal help fit together.
Immediate Help: The Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans and their families with caring, qualified responders — many of them veterans themselves. Dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care or registered with the VA to use it. All veterans can also receive free emergency suicide-related care at any facility, VA or non-VA, under the COMPACT Act.
Texas State Mental Health Programs
Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN)
The Military Veteran Peer Network — run by the Texas Veterans Commission's Veterans Mental Health Department in partnership with local mental health authorities — connects veterans with trained veteran peers in communities across Texas. Peers offer one-on-one support, group meetings, and "warm handoffs" into clinical care when you want it. It is free, and you do not need VA enrollment or a diagnosis. Find your local peer coordinator at milvetpeer.net or through tvc.texas.gov/mental-health.
Texas Veterans + Family Alliance (TV+FA) Grants
The TV+FA grant program, administered by Texas Health and Human Services, funds community organizations across Texas to provide free or low-cost mental health services — counseling, therapy, and family support — to veterans and their family members. Grantees operate in most major metro areas and many rural counties; your MVPN peer coordinator or local mental health authority can point you to the TV+FA-funded provider serving your county.
Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs)
Texas is divided into 39 local mental health authorities that provide community mental health services on a sliding scale, and each LMHA has a veteran point of contact through the MVPN partnership. If VA care is far away — common in rural Texas — your LMHA is often the closest door.
Texas Veterans Commission Counselors
TVC claims counselors and veteran career advisors work alongside the Veterans Mental Health Department, so one office can help with a disability claim, employment stress, and a counseling referral in the same visit. Find your nearest TVC office at tvc.texas.gov.
VA Mental Health Services in Texas
VA mental health care in Texas is delivered through Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (Houston) and the state's network of 70+ community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Services include:
- Individual and group therapy for depression, anxiety, and adjustment challenges
- Evidence-based PTSD treatment including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and EMDR
- Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment — outpatient counseling, intensive programs, and medication-assisted treatment
- Medication management with VA psychiatrists and mental health providers
- Telehealth appointments so veterans in rural Texas can get care without long drives
Enrolled veterans can request a mental health appointment through their primary care team, by calling their VA facility directly, or via My HealtheVet secure messaging. Same-day mental health access is available at VA medical centers for urgent needs.
VA Facilities Serving Texas Veterans
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (Houston)
- VA North Texas Health Care System (Dallas)
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System (San Antonio)
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (Temple)
Vet Centers: Free Counseling, No Enrollment Needed
Vet Centers provide free, confidential readjustment counseling to combat veterans, survivors of military sexual trauma, and their families — completely separate from VA medical records and with no enrollment requirement. Counseling covers PTSD, grief, military sexual trauma, and transition stress. Find your nearest Texas Vet Center at va.gov/find-locations (choose "Vet Centers"), or call 1-877-927-8387 (the 24/7 Vet Center Call Center) any time.
Substance Use and Recovery Support
VA substance use programs in Texas range from outpatient counseling to residential rehabilitation treatment programs (RRTPs). Veterans can self-refer — you do not need to wait for a provider to bring it up. SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) is another free, confidential, 24/7 referral line that covers community treatment options throughout Texas.
Getting Started
- In crisis: Dial 988, then press 1 — available 24/7, no enrollment required
- Want a veteran peer, not a clinic: Find your Military Veteran Peer Network coordinator at milvetpeer.net
- Far from a VA facility: Your local mental health authority (LMHA) provides sliding-scale community care with a veteran point of contact
- Enrolled in VA care: Call Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (Houston) and ask for a same-day mental health appointment
- Not enrolled: Contact your nearest Vet Center (1-877-927-8387) for free counseling, or apply for VA health care at VA.gov or 1-877-222-8387
- State help: Contact the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) for local referrals and peer support programs
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do Texas veterans get free mental health care?
- Veterans in crisis can call the Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988, then press 1) 24/7 at no cost, with no enrollment required. Vet Centers offer free confidential counseling for combat veterans and survivors of military sexual trauma. Enrolled veterans get mental health services through Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (Houston) and Texas's community-based outpatient clinics, and Texas runs its own free state programs described in this guide.
- Do I need to be enrolled in VA health care to get mental health help in Texas?
- No. The Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1) and Vet Centers serve veterans regardless of enrollment, Texas's state programs are open without VA enrollment, and every veteran can receive free emergency suicide-related care at any facility under the COMPACT Act. For ongoing VA mental health treatment, you can apply for enrollment at VA.gov or by calling 1-877-222-8387.
- What PTSD treatment does the VA offer in Texas?
- VA facilities in Texas provide evidence-based PTSD treatments including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and EMDR, along with medication management and telehealth options. Ask your VA provider for a PTSD Clinical Team referral, or start with your nearest Vet Center for free counseling.
- What is the Military Veteran Peer Network in Texas?
- The MVPN is a Texas Veterans Commission program that places trained veteran peers in communities statewide, working through local mental health authorities. Peers provide free one-on-one support, group meetings, and warm handoffs into clinical care — no VA enrollment or diagnosis required. Find your local coordinator at milvetpeer.net.
- Can Texas veterans get free counseling outside the VA?
- Yes. Texas Veterans + Family Alliance (TV+FA) grants fund community organizations across Texas to provide free or low-cost counseling to veterans and family members, and Vet Centers offer free readjustment counseling with no enrollment. Your MVPN peer coordinator or local mental health authority can identify the TV+FA provider serving your county.
Top Texas cities for mental health
Related guides in Texas
Mental Health in nearby states
National guide
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