This page contains links to various helpful health resources.
Crisis Care
Veterans Crisis Line: “The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.”
Health Information
Allergy & Asthma:
Allergy Dude’s Allergy and Asthma Assortments: “I am a board certified specialist in internal medicine as well as allergy and immunology. I practice in Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina…The purpose of this blog is to help people understand and manage allergic diseases.”
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: “The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology for optimal patient care.”
Alzheimer’s:
Alzheimer’s Association: “Formed in 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association advances research to end Alzheimer’s and dementia while enhancing care for those living with the disease.”
Cancer:
National Cancer Institute (NCI): “This is the central website for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the U.S. government’s principal agency for cancer research. NCI is mandated by U.S. law to disseminate information about cancer and cancer research…This website offers free, credible, current, comprehensive information about cancer prevention and screening, diagnosis and treatment, research across the cancer spectrum, clinical trials, and news and links to other NCI websites. The information on this site is science-based, authoritative, and up-to-date. Medical experts, cancer researchers, and editors review the content before it is published to the website.”
Cardiovascular System/Heart:
American Heart Association (AHA): “The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Founded by six cardiologists in 1924, our organization now includes more than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters. We fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide critical tools and information to save and improve lives.”
Depression:
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): “DBSA envisions wellness for people living with depression and bipolar disorder.” “DBSA creates the opportunity for meaningful lives by compassionately engaging with individuals and providing peer-led support groups, educational materials, and wellness tools that focus on resiliency, achievement, creativity, and connection.” “If you live with depression or bipolar disorder—or are simply seeking inspiration and support for living a full, healthy and happy life—the Facing Us Clubhouse is your online home for wellness.”
Diabetes:
American Diabetes Association: “We lead the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fight for those affected by diabetes. We fund research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes. We deliver services to hundreds of communities. We provide objective and credible information. We give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.”
Diabetes.co.uk: “Diabetes.co.uk is a health platform and patient-support network all to do with diabetes. We publish daily news and information guides on diabetes management, research and living with diabetes. We also publish cookbooks, both online and offline.”
Eating Disorders:
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): “The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the leading 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States advocating on behalf of and supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. Reaching millions every year, we campaign for prevention, improved access to quality treatment, and increased research funding to better understand and treat eating disorders. We work with partners and volunteers to develop programs and tools to help everyone who seeks assistance.”
Fibromyalgia:
Fibromyalgia: “Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, diffuse tenderness, and a number of other symptoms. The word “fibromyalgia” comes from the Latin term for fibrous tissue (fibro) and the Greek ones for muscle (myo) and pain (algae).”
Hand Conditions & Injuries:
American Society for Surgery of the Hand: “The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) was established after World War II by a group of surgeons from the armed forces. They wanted to build upon the knowledge that they had gained while treating hand injuries for soldiers.” See here for information on hand conditions, injuries, treatments, and procedures.
Headache/Migraine:
Association of Migraine Disorders: “The mission of the Association of Migraine Disorders is to raise the medical and general public’s awareness of this condition and to stimulate increased research in this area of neuroscience.”
International Headache Society: “IHS is an international professional organisation working with others for the benefit of people affected by headache disorders. The purpose of IHS is to advance headache science, education, and management, and promote headache awareness worldwide.”
Migraine.com: “At Migraine.com we empower patients and caregivers to take control of migraine disease by providing a platform to learn, educate, and connect with peers and healthcare professionals.” “Whether you have just started experiencing the symptoms of migraine or have been a migraine sufferer for years, Migraine.com strives to provide you with tools and resources to help manage your disease. Although there is no cure for migraine, we hope the information provided by patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals at Migraine.com will help improve your quality of life.”
The Migraine Trust: (UK) “The Migraine Trust was founded in 1965 to improve the lives of people with migraine through research and education…Research is at the heart of our work. We fund and encourage the highest quality of medical research into the causes and treatments for migraine. We believe in advancing knowledge through the dissemination of scientific learning and the sharing of best practice. We provide evidence-based information to empower and educate. We campaign to position migraine as a serious public health issue and promote improved understanding and awareness.”
Lupus:
Lupus Foundation of America: “The Lupus Foundation of America is a charitable organization with tax-exempt status granted under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.” “The Lupus Foundation of America implements programs of research, education and advocacy in order to help solve the cruel mystery of lupus.”
Multiple Sclerosis:
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): “Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.”
Mental Health (also see Depression):
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): “NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.”
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): “The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. NIMH is one of the 27 Institutes and Centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation’s medical research agency. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)…The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.”
#sicknotweak (Canada): “#SickNotWeak is a not-for-profit organization and soon to become charity. Funds collected in support of #SickNotWeak help provide education, while supporting a community for those suffering as well as those supporting a loved one who needs help.”
PTSD:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – National Center for PTSD: “August 29, 2014 marked the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The history of the Center highlights its leadership in research and education to promote better prevention, diagnosis and treatment of PTSD.”
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): “The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”
Shoulder problems:
— Biceps Tendinitis/Tendinosis
Sleep Apnea:
Sleep Apnea – National Institutes of Health (NIH): “Sleep apnea (AP-ne-ah) is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep…Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound. Sleep apnea usually is a chronic (ongoing) condition that disrupts your sleep…As a result, the quality of your sleep is poor, which makes you tired during the day.” “Untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes.”
Sleep Disorders:
Sleep disorders: A National Institutes of Health (NIH) webpage with links to various sleep resources.
Smoking:
— Want to quit smoking? Tricare can help.
— VA can help you quit smoking too.
Substance Abuse:
— Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): “Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.”
— Al-Anon/Alateen: Help and support for family and loved ones of substance abusers
— Substance Use Disorder Treatment (Tricare) – Is it covered?: “TRICARE may cover services for the treatment of substance use disorders when determined to be medically or psychologically necessary, including: Detoxification; Rehabilitation; Outpatient group therapy; Family therapy.”
— Substance (Drugs, Alcohol, etc.) Use Treatment Programs (VA): “The VA offers a number of options for those seeking treatment for substance use problems. These options include therapy, either alone with the therapist or in a group, as well as medications to help veterans reduce their use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.”
Women’s Health:
— Center for Women Veterans (VA): “CWV monitors and coordinates VA’s administration of health care and benefits services, and programs for women Veterans.”
— VA Women’s Health: “Women Veterans Health Care addresses the health care needs of women Veterans and works to ensure that timely, equitable, high-quality, comprehensive health care services are provided in a sensitive and safe environment at VA health facilities nationwide. We strive to be a national leader in the provision of health care for women, thereby raising the standard of care for all women.”
— Women’s Health Research (VA): Overview of women’s health research conducted by the VA, and their findings
— Women Veterans Call Center: “Simply call 1-855-VA-Women (1-855-829-6636) to be connected with a Women Veterans Call Center representative. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.”
Motivation
because I said I would.: “Our mission is to strengthen humanity’s will. We created the “promise card” to help hold people accountable to their commitments. Make and keep a promise to improve yourself, your family or your community. If you need a promise card to make the commitment real, we will send you one. The world needs you.”
Preventive Health:
Air Force Health and Wellness: “The HAWC is usually located near the installation fitness center or the Community Activity Center and is staffed by professional health and fitness specialists who provide programs and services.”
Army Wellness Center: “Army Wellness Centers (AWC) provide standardized primary prevention programs and services designed to build and sustain good health and improve the overall healthy lifestyles of Soldiers, Family Members, Retirees, and DA Civilians.
Army Civilian Wellness Programs: “The Army Civilian Wellness / Fitness Program is a Department of the Army (DA) program intended to encourage Civilian employees to improve their health and fitness through exercise and other positive health benefits.”
Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center
Rehabilitation
Guitars For Vets: “Over the past seven years, our organization has refined a guitar instruction program aimed at providing Veterans struggling with physical injuries, PTSD and other emotional distress a unique supportive program. G4V pursues its mission to share the healing power of music by providing free guitar instruction, a new acoustic guitar and a guitar accessory kit in a structured program run by volunteers, primarily through the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and community-based medical centers.”
Project Healing Waters: “Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc.™ is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings.”
Recreation
Line of Advance: “Writers, Photographers, and Artists: We are currently accepting submissions of writing, photography, and art to showcase on LOA. We’re committed to promoting, networking, and helping to develop veteran writers and artists of all kinds. If you have work to submit, work to be seen, or even just a question, please reach out to us. You’re the reason we’re here.”
Scientific Health Research
Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research: “The institute addresses health and well-being issues over the life-course of individuals and families of those who serve and have served, as related to occupational exposures, experiences and environment. These include health consequences – physical, mental and social – that are unique in their nature, magnitude, long-term effects, delayed presentation and trans-generational implications.”
National Institutes of Health (NIH): “The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.”
National Health Service (NHS): (UK) “NHS Choices was launched in 2007 and is the official website of the National Health Service in England. With over 48 million visitors per month, we have become the UK’s biggest health website accounting for a quarter of all health-related web traffic…NHS Choices provides an award-winning, comprehensive health information service with thousands of articles, videos and tools, helping you to make the best choices about your health and lifestyle.”
Science-based Medicine: “Editorial staff and contributors at Science-Based Medicine are physicians and other professionals who are alarmed at the manner in which unscientific and pseudoscientific health care ideas have increasingly infiltrated academic medicine and medicine at large. Our goal is to examine these claims in the light of science and skepticism. We believe that the best medicine is based on scientific principles — considering plausibility, for instance, and not just evidence.”
Sense About Science: (UK) “Sharing scientific reasoning involves giving people the tools to question pseudoscience and misleading claims, to help cut through the noise around scientific or medical issues. AskforEvidence.org now has a hub of resources and expertise to help you make sense of evidence.”
Support
Fisher House: “Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or hospital they serve…Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge.”
The Love You Share: If you are currently receiving treatment for breast cancer at The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, University Hospital Seidman Cancer Center, or The Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, and you need financial assistance, this non-profit organization provides financial assistance to women in need. “Our goal is to make life easier, even if only for a short time, for someone who is fighting for life.”
We Are Here: A clearinghouse of resources for the military community, veterans, and people who want to support the military. Spend some time on this website – there are resources you never knew existed, such as free transportation to medical appointments and guides for communities and organizations that want to support military members, families, and veterans but don’t know how to get started.
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Disability Compensation for Conditions Related to Military Sexual Trauma