If you know a veteran reluctant to receive the mental health care that they need, please consider using this resource provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Coaching Into Care (CIC) is a free and confidential phone service of the VA that is celebrating three years as a national program this June. CIC helps callers discover new ways to talk with a Veteran about their concerns and about treatment options. Our mission is to educate, support and empower family members and friends who are seeking care or services for a Veteran. Our goal is to help them encourage distressed Veterans to access VA care successfully anywhere in the United States.

We provide support and problem-solving assistance, coaching with family members about how to talk to Veterans about seeking VA care, referrals for care for Veterans and family members, and information about available programs or enrolling in VA Care.

CIC has grown to help more than 2,800 callers last year. Callers may receive assistance over the course of one or several phone calls, sometimes spanning several months.

Anyone concerned about a Veteran may call Coaching Into Care. Our lines are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern, after which calls roll over to the Veteran’s Crisis Line and one of our responders returns the call the next business day. There are no eligibility requirements, and we work with all populations and eras of service. Occasionally, Veterans will call us directly and they are assisted or referred to appropriate services. When appropriate, CIC call responders warm transfer calls to other call centers, including the Veteran’s Crisis Line and Caregiver Support Line.

Purpose: To help family members and other loved ones encourage distressed Veterans to access VA Care successfully anywhere in the United States
Phone: (888) 823-7458
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Eastern Time
Web: www.va.gov/coachingintocare
Email: CoachingIntoCare@va.gov
Type of help provided: Coaching Into Care