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Veterans and Military Behavioral Health

Overview

One in four Oregon veterans experience frustration in seeking care for mental health or substance use issues, according to a survey completed by more than 4,000 veterans.

Oregon is committed to helping veterans access the tools and supports they need to thrive.

​The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is pleased to announce this solicitation of applications for funding Peer Support Specialist trainings.  

  • The intention is to make in-person Peer Support Specialist trainings more accessible to military veterans living in communities designated as Rural or Frontier by the Oregon Office of Rural Health. 
  • OHA is calling for applications from organizations who are well-positioned to provide services to military veterans and have the capacity to grow the peer-delivered services workforce in their communities.  
  • Applications are due by 10 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022.

Any updates to RFGA #5487 such as announcements, technical advisories, or questions and answers will be posted to this webpage.

Application Documents​​

​Military Culture Awareness and Suicide Prevention Training for Providers​ is a two-day training that:

  • Addresses in-depth knowledge and skills to bridge this gap between providers and veterans who seek care.
  • Educates providers on veteran- and military-specific language and other cultural cues.
  • Provides access to specific suicide prevention and intervention assessments.

We hope this training improves providers' familiarity with servicemembers' needs around mental health and suicide. 

An additional two-hour practice session is required to apply the skills learned in the training. 

All sessions are held virtually on Zoom.  Please note that this training is intended for those who provide services in Oregon.  

Learn more about this training opportunity and register today



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Addressing the Needs of Oregon Veterans

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) commissioned a needs assessment study to identify challenges and opportunities for reforms. Produced by the Rede Group, the 2019 Oregon Veterans Behavioral Health Services Improvement Study:

  • Describes the availability of behavioral health services for Oregon veterans;
  • Provides findings regarding barriers veterans face in accessing behavioral health services; and
  • Recommends policy and other changes that may improve the accessibility and quality of behavioral health services for Oregon veterans.

The recommendations include proposed steps to strengthen services and outreach for veterans, including:

  • Reduce stigma about behavioral health issues to help more veterans feel comfortable seeking care.
  • Strengthen suicide prevention programs.
  • Improve care coordination for veterans and tailor services to better address the experiences those who have served in the military have faced.
  • Expand the number of peer specialists who have their own first-hand knowledge of veterans issues and can provide effective support.
  • Recruit more treatment providers to serve veterans.

Following these recommendations, OHA and ODVA held 17 community forums between August and October 2019 in fifteen different locations throughout the state. The forums gathered input from Oregon communities about veterans behavioral health needs and services.

View the study report (193 pages, PDF)  View the report highlights (PDF)  View the study findings (PDF)

Links and Resources

          Program Contact

          Emily Watson

          Need Help?

          Military Helpline

          Staffed by veterans and others trained in military culture, the Military Helpline offers free and confidential crisis intervention with sensitivity to military-specific issues.

          • 1-888-457-4838. There is hope. Call now, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

          The Helpline understands what you’re going through and can help you sort things out privately. Whether it’s family issues, anger, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress or thoughts of suicide, call us. We won’t judge you and we’ll keep it to ourselves.

          Veterans Crisis Line

          Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are veterans themselves.

          • Call 1-800-273-8255 + Press 1, text 838255, or connect online to chat.  
          • Call 1-800-799-4889 to access crisis line deaf and hard of hearing support.