Guys:
This seemed to be a tougher memorial day than usual for some people. I know many of you are veterans, and I know some of you are family members to men and women lost in battle. In searching for some help, I came across this resource. Free help for those in need is always a good thing. I hope it can help someone.
Are you a veteran who served in a combat theater?
Do you know a family who lost a loved one while serving on active duty?
Vet Centers are VA counseling centers in communities that provide free counseling services to combat veterans and their families. Vet Centers provide individual counseling, group counseling, marriage and family therapy, sexual trauma counseling for combat veterans, and bereavement counseling for family members who lost their loved one on active duty.
Counseling is targeted to help veterans transition from the war zone. All the veteran needs is a DD214 with combat zone campaign ribbon to qualify and once eligible for services, they are always eligible. Referral or coordination through VA Medical Centers is not needed. All services are confidential and no information is disclosed without veterans written consent.
There are about 300 Vet Centers nationwide, and 23 of them in Florida.
Typical symptoms of combat veterans in need of services may include the following:
Loss of emotional control, increased reliance on substance use, increased anxiety, grief, guilt, depression, poor concentration, memory problems, hypervigilance, intrusive images, nightmares, outbursts of aggression, withdrawal and isolation (including excessive video gaming), emotional numbness, lack of sexual desire, difficulty assuming parenting roles, over protecting or controlling as a partner or parent, and infidelity.
The following is a list of the Vet Centers in Florida to provide support and help their adjustment to more functional relationships:
This seemed to be a tougher memorial day than usual for some people. I know many of you are veterans, and I know some of you are family members to men and women lost in battle. In searching for some help, I came across this resource. Free help for those in need is always a good thing. I hope it can help someone.
Are you a veteran who served in a combat theater?
Do you know a family who lost a loved one while serving on active duty?
Vet Centers are VA counseling centers in communities that provide free counseling services to combat veterans and their families. Vet Centers provide individual counseling, group counseling, marriage and family therapy, sexual trauma counseling for combat veterans, and bereavement counseling for family members who lost their loved one on active duty.
Counseling is targeted to help veterans transition from the war zone. All the veteran needs is a DD214 with combat zone campaign ribbon to qualify and once eligible for services, they are always eligible. Referral or coordination through VA Medical Centers is not needed. All services are confidential and no information is disclosed without veterans written consent.
There are about 300 Vet Centers nationwide, and 23 of them in Florida.
Typical symptoms of combat veterans in need of services may include the following:
Loss of emotional control, increased reliance on substance use, increased anxiety, grief, guilt, depression, poor concentration, memory problems, hypervigilance, intrusive images, nightmares, outbursts of aggression, withdrawal and isolation (including excessive video gaming), emotional numbness, lack of sexual desire, difficulty assuming parenting roles, over protecting or controlling as a partner or parent, and infidelity.
The following is a list of the Vet Centers in Florida to provide support and help their adjustment to more functional relationships:
| Vet Center Location | Contact Number |
| Clearwater | 727.549.3600 |
| Clermont / Lake County | 352.536.6701 |
| Daytona Beach | 386.366.6600 |
| Ft. Lauderdale | 954.356.7926 |
| Ft. Myers | 239.479.4401 |
| Ft. Walton Beach | |
| Gainesville | 352.331.1408 |
| Jacksonville | 904.232.3621 |
| Jupiter | 561.422.1220 |
| Melbourne | 321.254.3410 |
| Miami | 305.718.3713 |
| Ocala / Marion County | 352.260.7183 |
| Orlando | 407.857.2800 |
| Palm Beach | 561.422.1201 |
| Panama City | 850.636.7075 |
| Pasco County | 727.597.3512 |
| Pensacola | 850.456.5886 |
| Polk County | |
| Pompano Beach | 954.357.5555 |
| Sarasota | 941.927.8285 |
| St. Petersburg | 727.549.3633 |
| Tallahassee | 850.942.8810 |
| Tampa | 813.228.2621 |
