Do veteran benefits include mental health benefits?

Do veteran benefits include mental health benefits?I have a friend who is a Gulf War veteran (honorably discharged) and recently he is having a lot of trouble financially and with family. He is very depressed, to the point where he is making suicidal comments. He can't afford counseling. Do veteran benefits cover any type of counseling? He is in Florida if that makes a difference. Please, any suggestions appreciated!
Thank you Marine5 (and others!). I live across the country but I can pass the information along to his wife and son.

Answer by Patricia C
Yes, if he qualifies financially. He should call his local Veterans Affairs Regional Office. They will have him go in for an interview.

Answer by GUMBIE DAHMIT
Yes, It is the VA's top priority. Have your buddy do a walk in to any VA clinic ASAP and talk to one of the shrinks. A lot of people are feeling the pressure of the economy. It effects us all differently.

Answer by ckamk1995
Yes he will be able to see someone for mental health issues.

Have him walk into any VA Clinic and tell them what is going on. They do have a list of Psychologists or Psychiatrists, that he could go see. Mental Health is something the the VA and the military now is not taking lightly anymore.

If need be, drive him there yourself to have him get the help he seems to needs.

Answer by GunnyC
He can talk to the VA but the VA's priority is service related and not things that occur after discharge and are not from his military service. He can discuss that with them and if they cannot help they should be able to give him some refernces for counselling available at little or no cost to him. VA benefits are pretty well resticted to treating veterans for service related problems and not for anything life long that happens.

Answer by Marine5
Listen Up...
Take HIM and a Copy of His DD-214
to the Nearest VA Hospital emergency Room...
They are Open 24/7/365...

Tell them he is Suicidal...they will Admit him
right then and There...

Also you can do the following:

"If in an Emotional Crisis"
Call 1-800-273- TALK (8255)
PRESS 1 for VETERANS...

All Counseling and Hospitalization
at the VA is FREE !!!!

Please contact me via Email...
Have a few questions that may
help him...

What do you think? Answer below! Access information and advice on a wide range of mental health issues including conditions and disorders including stress and depression, therapy

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