Crisis support988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
ALLNational crisis support for people in distress.
Free, confidential, 24/7.
CrisisVisit website
Verified Feb 26, 2026Updated Sep 10, 2026
Veteran Mental Health Support in Virginia
Complete guide to veteran mental health care in Virginia. VA mental health services, Vet Centers, PTSD treatment, Virginia-specific state programs, and the Veterans Crisis Line.
How mental health help works in Virginia
Skip to who to callVirginia is home to approximately 700,000 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, Virginia veterans have access to free and low-cost care through the VA, Vet Centers, and programs the state itself runs. Virginia funds its own behavioral health program for veterans: Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) provides free peer and family support, care coordination, and connection to behavioral health services in every region of the commonwealth.
This guide explains every major mental health resource available to Virginia 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 Virginia Department of Veterans Services, the fastest first call for mental health help in Virginia.
- 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.
Virginia Department of Veterans Services is the fastest first call for veteran mental health help in Virginia.
In a crisis? Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1, or text 838255. Available 24/7.
Verified mental health help in Virginia: who to call
38 verified mental health resources serving Virginia. Crisis and fastest-path options are listed first.
Crisis supportVeterans Crisis Line
ALL24/7 confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones.
Verified Feb 26, 2026Updated Jun 15, 2026
Crisis supportWashington DC VA Medical Center
Arlington, VADepartment of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Arlington, VA 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 Virginia Beach Veterans
Virginia Beach, VADial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Virginia Beach-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 supportChesapeake VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Chesapeake, VAVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Chesapeake, VA 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 supportRichmond VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Richmond, VAVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Richmond, VA 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 supportHunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center
Richmond, VADepartment of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Richmond, VA 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 supportNorfolk VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Norfolk, VAVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Norfolk, VA 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 supportHampton VA Medical Center
Norfolk, VADepartment of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Norfolk, VA 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 supportVirginia Beach VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Virginia Beach, VAVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Virginia Beach, VA 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 Arlington Veterans
Arlington, VADial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Arlington-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 supportRoanoke VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Roanoke, VAVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Roanoke, VA 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 supportNewport News VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Newport News, VAVA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Newport News, VA veterans.
CBOCs deliver primary care, mental health, and select specialty services closer to home than the parent VA medical center.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Find VA Medical Facilities in Virginia
VALocate VA medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics, and Vet Centers serving Virginia veterans.
Confirm services, hours, and the closest location using the VA facility locator.
Updated Sep 10, 2026
Crisis support2-1-1 Housing Help for Richmond Veterans
Richmond, VADial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Richmond-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 Norfolk Veterans
Norfolk, VADial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Norfolk-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
Roanoke Vet Center
Roanoke, VACommunity-based VA Vet Center serving Roanoke 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
Newport News Vet Center
Newport News, VACommunity-based VA Vet Center serving Newport News 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
Alexandria Vet Center
Alexandria, VACommunity-based VA Vet Center serving Alexandria 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
Richmond Vet Center
Richmond, VACommunity-based VA Vet Center serving Richmond 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
Norfolk Vet Center
Norfolk, VACommunity-based VA Vet Center serving Norfolk 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
Arlington Vet Center
Arlington, VACommunity-based VA Vet Center serving Arlington 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
Virginia Department of Veterans Services - Healthcare Programs
VAThe Virginia Department of Veterans Services administers Virginia-specific veteran healthcare programs and benefits and connects veterans with accredited service officers, state benefits, and local resources.
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
Virginia 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.
Virginia State Mental Health Programs
Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS)
VVFS is the Virginia Department of Veterans Services' behavioral health and supportive services program — state-funded and free. VVFS staff provide peer support, care coordination, and warm connections to behavioral health care, substance use treatment, housing help, and benefits for veterans, service members, and their families across every region of Virginia. No VA enrollment is required, and family members can call on a veteran's behalf. Reach VVFS at (804) 371-4675 or toll-free 1-877-285-1299, or through any DVS benefits office (dvs.virginia.gov).
Community Services Boards
Virginia's 40 community services boards (CSBs) provide publicly funded mental health, substance use, and crisis services in every city and county — sliding-scale, no VA enrollment needed. VVFS care coordinators frequently work hand-in-hand with CSBs, so starting with either gets you to the same network.
DVS Benefits Offices
DVS operates benefits offices throughout the commonwealth with accredited representatives who file VA claims free of charge, including PTSD and MST-related service-connection claims. With Virginia's dense military footprint — the Pentagon, Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Quantico, Fort Belvoir — many offices sit close to where veterans and transitioning service members actually live.
Military and Veteran Communities
Vet Centers in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Alexandria, Richmond, Roanoke, and Danville offer free readjustment counseling with no enrollment, and the Hampton, Richmond, and Salem VA systems all provide same-day mental health access for urgent needs.
VA Mental Health Services in Virginia
VA mental health care in Virginia is delivered through Central Virginia VA Health Care System (Richmond) and the state's network of 20+ 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 Virginia 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 Virginia Veterans
- Central Virginia VA Health Care System (Richmond)
- Hampton VA Medical Center
- Salem VA Health Care System
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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia.
Getting Started
- In crisis: Dial 988, then press 1 — available 24/7, no enrollment required
- State-funded peer and family support: Virginia Veteran and Family Support at (804) 371-4675 or 1-877-285-1299 — free, no VA enrollment required
- Community care in every county: Your local community services board (CSB) provides sliding-scale mental health and substance use services
- Enrolled in VA care: Call Central Virginia VA Health Care System (Richmond) 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 Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) for local referrals and peer support programs
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do Virginia 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 Central Virginia VA Health Care System (Richmond) and Virginia's community-based outpatient clinics, and Virginia 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 Virginia?
- No. The Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1) and Vet Centers serve veterans regardless of enrollment, Virginia'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 Virginia?
- VA facilities in Virginia 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 Virginia Veteran and Family Support (VVFS)?
- VVFS is the Virginia Department of Veterans Services' free behavioral health program: peer support, care coordination, and connections to mental health care, substance use treatment, and housing for veterans, service members, and families statewide. No VA enrollment is needed and family members can call on a veteran's behalf — (804) 371-4675 or 1-877-285-1299.
- Can Virginia veterans use community services boards for mental health care?
- Yes. Virginia's 40 community services boards provide publicly funded, sliding-scale mental health, substance use, and crisis services in every city and county, regardless of VA enrollment. VVFS care coordinators work closely with CSBs, so starting with either connects you to the same network.
Top Virginia cities for mental health
Related guides in Virginia
Mental Health in nearby states
National guide
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