If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis, free help is immediately available.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, via phone, text and online chat, offering people compassionate care and support from trained crisis counselors for individuals, families or their loved ones. One does not have to be suicidal to call 988 but can reach out when experiencing any behavioral health crisis. 988 call services are available in English and Spanish, along with interpretation services in more than 150 languages. Texting 988 and online chat are currently available only in English. Veterans and military service members can call 988 and press “1” to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line.

The Operation Family Caregiver (OFC) program at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers helps create stronger, healthier, more resilient families by supporting the unsung heroes behind our heroes: the caregivers. These friends and family who take care of America’s wounded warriors do so, in many cases, at the expense of their own health and well-being. The challenges that our veterans face can affect the entire family, but services and programs rarely focus on the caregiver.
 
OFC provides eight free and confidential one-on-one coaching to the families, friends and supporters of those who have served our nation and returned home with either visible or invisible injuries. OFC is tailored to each caregiver’s unique needs and delivered virtually on their schedule.
 
For more information about Operation Family Caregiver, click here. To enroll, click the button below.

Do you provide unpaid care for a veteran or non-veteran with a neurocognitive disorder and/or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? Are you 18 years old or older? Do you have a computer, tablet, or smartphone? If so, researchers developing an intervention want your help! Eligible caregivers will complete an online survey before participating in two focus group interviews with 4 to 5 participants.  The online survey will take about 30 minutes and the focus groups will be between 90 to 120 minutes each.
 
Participants will receive a $30 gift card after each focus group interview. 
 
For any questions about the study, please contact the research team at the following email or phone number: 
 
Email: vetcaremind@illinois.edu
Phone: 217-244-9363 
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo
 
To determine if you are eligible to participate, complete a brief online screening by clicking on the button below.