Helping Veterans Claim What They Deserve
VA health and wellness programs provide comprehensive support for Veterans to take charge of their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The Whole Health approach centers on what matters to you, not just what is the matter with you . Over 1.7 million Veterans received mental health services at VA last year, and Whole Health services have shown a threefold reduction in opioid use among Veterans with chronic pain . To get started, contact your local VA medical center, visit VA.gov/wholehealth, or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (press 1) for immediate support.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Program | Whole Health (VA’s personalized care model) |
| Mental Health Support | Available 24/7; no enrollment required for crisis care |
| Weight Management | MOVE! Program (evidence-based lifestyle intervention) |
| Crisis Support | Veterans Crisis Line: 988 (press 1) or text 838255 |
| Complementary Therapies | Acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, massage, meditation, biofeedback |
| Telehealth Options | Tele Whole Health and VA Video Connect available |
| Caregiver Support | Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274 |
| Official Agency | Veterans Health Administration (VHA) |
Whole Health is VA’s comprehensive approach to care that puts the Veteran at the center of their health journey . Unlike traditional disease-focused care, Whole Health starts with what matters to you—your values, goals, and aspirations—then builds a personalized health plan around those priorities .
The Whole Health model organizes wellness into eight interconnected dimensions:
| Dimension | Description |
|---|---|
| Power of the Mind | Mental health, mindfulness, and coping strategies |
| Move the Body | Physical activity, fitness, and movement |
| Food & Drink | Nutrition and healthy eating habits |
| Recharge | Sleep, rest, and stress recovery |
| Family, Friends & Co-workers | Social connections and relationships |
| Spirit & Soul | Purpose, meaning, and spiritual well-being |
| Personal Development | Growth, learning, and self-improvement |
| Surroundings | Environment, housing, and community |
In 2019, the Veterans Health Administration began implementing the Whole Health model system-wide . By 2024, the VA Fayetteville Coastal Health Care System alone treated over 67,000 Veterans through Whole Health services, a 49% increase from the previous year .
One Army Veteran described the impact: “Implementing Whole Health has allowed me to grow spiritually, socially, emotionally, and mentally. It has given me the coping skills to handle my anxiety. Simple tasks became available to me again, such as going to public places, the grocery store, playgrounds, etc.”
The Personal Health Inventory is a self-reflection tool that helps you identify what matters most to you . You can download the form or fill it out online through the Whole Health app .
Whole Health Coaches partner with Veterans who want to enhance their well-being through self-directed, lasting changes aligned with their values . To get started:
Call or secure message your Primary Care provider to request a consult
Ask your provider about Whole Health Coaching
Enroll in an Intro to Whole Health class
VA offers a range of Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) services including :
Acupuncture – Helps manage pain without drugs
Massage Therapy – Relieves tension and supports recovery
Yoga – Combines physical postures, breathing, and meditation
Tai Chi – Gentle movement for strength, balance, and relaxation
Meditation and Mindfulness – Reduces stress and improves well-being
Biofeedback – Helps control bodily processes for pain and stress management
Guided Imagery – Uses visualization for relaxation and healing
Clinical Hypnosis – Promotes relaxation and symptom management
VA offers digital tools to support your Whole Health journey:
Live Whole Health app – Guided tools for everyday wellness
Whole Health app – Personal Health Inventory and resources
Tele Whole Health – Connect with providers from virtually anywhere
VA provides comprehensive mental health care for a wide range of needs, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, military sexual trauma (MST), grief, and readjustment challenges . Over 1.7 million Veterans received mental health services at VA last year .
If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, confidential help is available immediately :
Call: 988 and select 1
Text: 838255
Chat: VeteransCrisisLine.net
TTY: Call 711 then 988
You don’t need to be enrolled in VA health care to use crisis services .
If you’re already using VA medical services:
Ask your primary care provider to help you make an appointment with a VA mental health provider .
If you’re not enrolled in VA health care:
Contact your nearest VA medical center or Vet Center . You can use some VA mental health services even if you’re not enrolled .
Same-day services are available, including:
Face-to-face appointments
Phone consultations with VA nurses
Secure messaging with VA providers
VA provides mental health services at multiple levels :
| Service Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Emergency Care | 24/7 crisis support and hospitalization if needed |
| Inpatient Care | Short-term care for severe mental illness |
| Outpatient Care | Regular appointments for ongoing support |
| Telemental Health | Care through computer or mobile device |
| Vet Centers | Community-based readjustment counseling |
| Residential Programs | Structured programs for intensive treatment |
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) – Specialized counseling and care coordination
PTSD – Evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Processing Therapy
Substance Use – Medication-based and therapy-based treatment options
Caregiver Support – Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274
Veteran Training portal – Self-help tools for anger management, parenting, and problem-solving
Mental Health Apps – Tools for PTSD, stress, mindfulness, and depression management
BeThere Peer Assistance – Talk to peer coaches who are Veterans or military spouses at 800-342-9647
Coaching into Care – Speak with licensed psychologists or social workers at 888-823-7458
MOVE! is VA’s comprehensive lifestyle intervention designed to help Veterans self-manage their health and weight using evidence-based tools and strategies . Losing 5%-10% of body weight can significantly improve health and quality of life .
MOVE! Groups – Clinician-led 12-week sessions offered virtually or in-person . Groups follow the 16-module MOVE! curriculum and help you set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, Time-based) .
TeleMOVE! – A 90-day in-home messaging program for those who prefer reviewing materials independently with periodic clinician check-ins .
MOVE! Maintenance – Available after completing a 12-week group or 90-day program to reinforce concepts and support long-term weight management .
Be Active and MOVE! – An 8-week virtual group led by a Physical Therapist providing supervised physical activity .
MOVE! Coach app – Weight management education, exercise trackers, calorie tracking, and stress management tools
Annie – VA text messaging service with automated self-care reminders
Ramon Melendez, a Veteran at the San Juan VA Medical Center, lost over 40 pounds through MOVE!, combining weight management medication with healthy lifestyle changes. “My quality of life is increasing,” he shared. “I can put on my socks and shoes without help, I started playing softball again, I was in size 48 and now I’ve bought pants in size 40.”
VAFit is a free, VA-sponsored exercise and wellness program led by experienced physical and occupational therapists . The program offers virtual classes including:
Seated general fitness
Strength and conditioning
Cardiovascular exercise
Back pain management
Female Veteran exercise classes
To participate:
Get a referral from your primary care provider
Have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet
GeroFit – Supervised exercise program for Veterans age 65+
VA2K Walk and Roll – Community events promoting physical activity
Yoga classes – Chair, mat, and Yin yoga for all skill levels
The Healthy Teaching Kitchen teaches nutrition skills and basic cooking through guided practice . Veterans learn to cook with healthy, minimally processed foods and can attend virtual or in-person classes .
VA offers various nutrition support services including :
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| General Nutrition Clinic | One-on-one sessions on healthy eating, portion sizes, and MyPlate |
| Diabetes Nutrition Therapy | Education on blood sugar management, carbohydrate counting, and meal planning |
| Women’s Nutrition | Specialized nutrition support for women’s health |
| Anti-inflammatory Nutrition | Pain management through a Mediterranean diet approach |
VA’s Whole Health approach is backed by research demonstrating significant benefits :
Reduced opioid use – Veterans with chronic pain who used Whole Health services had a threefold reduction in opioid use compared to those who did not
Improved stress management – Veterans using Whole Health report better ability to manage stress
Better chronic condition management – Improvements in high blood pressure, diabetes control, and smoking cessation
Weight loss success – Veterans report weight loss as a benefit of Whole Health participation
Improved mental health – Better depression and anxiety symptoms
Reduced suicidal ideation – Approximately 10% of Whole Health participants reported reduced suicidal ideation
Whole Health is VA’s approach to care that centers on what matters to you, not what is the matter with you . It combines conventional medicine with complementary therapies like acupuncture, yoga, and mindfulness, and helps you create a personalized health plan .
Most VA health and wellness programs are available to Veterans enrolled in VA health care. However, some services like mental health crisis care and Vet Center counseling are available even if you’re not enrolled . Contact your local VA medical center or call 877-222-8387 to determine your eligibility .
Start by completing the Personal Health Inventory, then ask your primary care provider for a Whole Health consult . You can also enroll in an “Intro to Whole Health” class at many VA facilities or download the Whole Health app .
Yes. You can use some VA mental health services even if you’re not enrolled . Call or walk in to any VA medical center or Vet Center anytime, day or night . The Veterans Crisis Line is also available 24/7 at 988 (press 1) .
MOVE! is VA’s comprehensive lifestyle intervention designed to help Veterans manage their health and weight . It offers group classes, at-home programs, and digital tools focused on nutrition, behavioral counseling, and physical activity .
Yes. VA offers acupuncture for pain management, along with yoga, tai chi, massage therapy, meditation, biofeedback, and other complementary and integrative health services .
Yes. VA offers Tele Whole Health, telemental health, and VA Video Connect appointments . Digital resources include the Live Whole Health app, Veteran Training portal, and mental health apps .
Yes. VA offers caregiver support through the Caregiver Support Line (855-260-3274), caregiver support coordinators, peer support mentoring, and Coaching into Care for family members who want to help a loved one seek treatment .
Contact your local VA medical center, use the VA facility locator at VA.gov, or ask your primary care provider about wellness programs in your area . Many programs are also available virtually .
Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (press 1), text 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net . You can also call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You don’t need to be enrolled in VA health care for crisis support .
Yes. VA offers the Healthy Teaching Kitchen program, one-on-one nutrition counseling with Registered Dietitians, and group nutrition classes . Topics include general healthy eating, diabetes management, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and women’s health nutrition .
VA offers VAFit (free virtual exercise classes), GeroFit (for Veterans 65+), yoga classes, tai chi, and the VA2K Walk and Roll events . A referral from your primary care provider is required for some programs .
VA’s Whole Health approach centers care around what matters to you, offering personalized health plans combining conventional and complementary therapies .
Over 1.7 million Veterans received mental health services at VA last year, with services available even to those not enrolled in VA health care .
Whole Health services have shown a threefold reduction in opioid use among Veterans with chronic pain .
The Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1) provides confidential crisis support 24/7, and you don’t need to be enrolled in VA health care .
MOVE! is VA’s evidence-based weight management program offering group classes, at-home programs, and digital tools .
VA offers complementary therapies including acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, massage, meditation, and biofeedback .
Digital resources include the Live Whole Health app, Tele Whole Health, and the Veteran Training self-help portal .
Caregiver support is available through the Caregiver Support Line (855-260-3274) and Coaching into Care .
VA Whole Health: va.gov/wholehealth
VA Mental Health Services: va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health
Veterans Crisis Line: veteranscrisisline.net – 988 (press 1), text 838255
MOVE! Weight Management Program: move.va.gov
Vet Center Locator: vetcenter.va.gov
VA Health and Wellness: va.gov/health-care/wellness-programs
Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274
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