Women Veterans

Chat VA Womn

WOMEN VETERANS HOTLINE:On April 23, 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched its new Women Veterans hotline—1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636)—an incoming call center that receives and responds to questions from women Veterans, their families, and caregivers across the nation about available VA services and resources.


Women Veterans' Network:Women Veterans logo
The mission of the Women Veterans' Network is to provide women with information on benefits; expand awareness of the needs of women veterans; and identify available health and human resources to meet those needs. 
Call 617-210-5781.


Womens Health Care

At each VA Medical Center nationwide, a Women Veterans Program Manager is designated to assist women Veterans. She can help coordinate all the services you may need, from primary care to medical services to Mental Health and Sexual Abuse Counseling.

Women Veterans who are interested in receiving care at VA should contact their nearest VA Medical Center and ask for the Women Veterans Program Manager.

SOUTH SHORE WOMENS RESOURCE CENTER
We are a nonprofit, community-based domestic violence program that has been assisting victims of domestic violence and their families for more than 30 years. Services are free and confidential. Our focus is to create a welcoming environment where victims can feel safe to make empowering choices in their lives. 
Visit the website


Homelessness Help and Support
the Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) is ending homelessness among our veterans. If you are a homeless veteran in need of housing, we are here for you and your family. Refer to the links below or contact us (your local Marshfield VSO) directly for additional support.  

Women Veterans' Housing Programs


TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE Trauma Guide 2011


Support for Women Veterans with PTSD
Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have experienced a traumatic event
You are not alone
Among women Veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, VA data show that almost 20% have been diagnosed with PTSD (3). We also have prevalence data on PTSD in women Vietnam Veterans from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS) (4). Of the 1,632 Vietnam Veterans in the study, 432 were women who had served in or around Vietnam between 1964 and 1975. The study found that approximately 27% of women Vietnam Veterans suffered from PTSD sometime during their postwar lives. By comparison, the lifetime rate of PTSD in male Vietnam Veterans was 31%.


Women's Integrated Treatment and Recovery Program, Brockton MA
Call Sharon at 774-826-1833

This treatment program is designed to help women veterans who have both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

Designed to fill the gap between short-term inpatient and long-term outpatient and residential programs, the program offers approximately eight weeks of specialized, intensive treatment based on individual needs and strengths. The primary goal is to help women develop skills to maintain abstinence and manage PTSD symptoms. Veterans will have the opportunity to address specific trauma issues, including military sexual trauma. Other important issues such as medical, vocational, housing, family, and interpersonal problems will also be addressed as participants are encouraged to develop short- and long-term plans for their own recovery.

While the program takes into consideration each veteran's needs and preferences for treatment, all women entering the program must make a commitment to work on both PTSD and SUD, regardless of which one may be the primary problem at the time of admission. The program provides a residential setting where women veterans can safely begin this challenging process through a combination of group and individual therapies, educational activities, and medication management.

Contact

Sharon Baker, Ph.D.
Women's Integrated Treatment and Recovery Program
An affiliation of the National Center for PTSD
VA Boston Healthcare System
Brockton Campus
940 Belmont St.
Brockton, MA 02301
774-826-1833

click for more PTSD Help and information


Coping with Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

About 1 in 5 women and 1 in 100 men seen in VHA respond "yes" when screened for MST. Though rates of MST  are higher among women, there are almost as many men seen in VA that have experienced MST as there are women.  This is because there are many more men in the military than there are women.

For more information, you can:

  • People can recover from experiences of trauma. Please contact VA to learn more.
  • Speak with your VA health care provider.
  • Contact the MST Coordinator at your nearest VA Facility.
  • Call Safe Helpline at 1-877-995-5247 to get confidential one-on-one help. Safe Helpline provides 24 hour a day, 7 day a week assistance for victims of military sexual trauma.
  • Contact a Vet Center near you.
  • Call VA's general information hotline at 1-800-827-1000.
  • Feel free to ask for a provider of the gender — male or female — with which you would feel more comfortable.

People can recover from experiences of trauma. Please contact VA to learn more.

What is military sexual trauma counseling?
Military sexual trauma counseling may include individual or group counseling, marital and family counseling, referral for benefits assistance, liaison with community agencies or substance abuse information and referral to help you deal with the emotions of military sexual trauma and regain confidence in your everyday life.
Reach out to your local Vet Center

Over 10% of combat OEF / OIF Veterans are women and over 40% of Vet Center staff are women, allowing us to offer transition assistance, including military sexual trauma.  
Learn more about VA's Women Veterans Health Care programs.


Employment Support for Women Veterans
The Department of Labor's (DOL) Women Veterans' Employment initiative is a collaborative effort across Department of Labor (DOL) agencies to identify and address the employment challenges of the women veteran population. Resources, employment tips, the latest news, and more on employment issues related to women veterans can be found at DOL's website.


Resources for

Women's Integrated Treatment and Recovery Program

  • This treatment program is designed to help women veterans who have both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

National Service Organizations for Women

  • A listing of national service organizations for women veterans. Some of these have local chapters in Massachusetts.

Museums to Honor Women's Military Service

  • A listing of museums and memorials that honor women's service in the military.

VA Center for Women Veterans

Resources and links

  • Online resources and links for women veterans.

What Is Military Sexual Trauma?

Grace After Fire

  • Grace After Fire (www.graceafterfire.org) is designed to serve women veterans from all eras and branches of service through their online social network to share common experiences and offer unique peer support for wellness while providing increased access to resources for healthcare, family, and self.