Wellness and Health
Veteran and Military Affiliated Services has partnered with the Austin Vet Center to offer our veteran and military students on-campus counseling. In addition to this service, our campus offers a wide variety of health care and wellness options to meet your needs.
On-Campus Counseling Through the Austin Vet Center
The Austin Vet Center provides on-campus counseling for a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty servicemembers, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Our counselor can assist with short-term, or chronic mental health needs, as well as care coordination between the Department of Veteran Affairs and various University recourses.
Readjustment counseling is offered to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services.
The mission of the Austin Vet Center is to welcome home and honor those who served, those still serving, and their families by reaching out to them, engaging their communities, and providing them with quality readjustment counseling and timely referral. You can schedule an appointment with the Vet Center counselor by calling 512-416-1314.
What does Vet Center Counseling offer?
Services for Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve Components:
- Counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, anger management, depression, anxiety, sleep, adjustment related issues, and anything else that could be impacting your current wellbeing.
- Referral to and working with the University’s Disability and Access office to request academic accommodations.
- Assistance with enrollment and care at local VA healthcare facilities
- Assistance obtaining resources from the VA and its affiliates.
Bereavement services to family members:
- of a Veteran who was receiving Vet Center services at the time of the Veteran’s death,
- to the families of service members who died while serving on active duty, and
- to family members of Veterans or service members who die by suicide.
Services for Faculty and Staff:
- Education about veteran and military- specific issues.
- Training in military / veteran culture.
- Consultation on veteran-specific issues that impact performance and retention.
- Collaboration with University Mental Health Centers in serving the unique mental health needs of veterans.
How to Prepare for Your First Meeting
You do not need to be registered for care at the VA, rated for a service-connected disability, or receiving any other form of VA benefits to receive Vet Center services. On your first visit, you and the counselor will look for one or more of the following:
- Discharge documents (DD 214, member copy 2 or 4)
- Receipt of certain awards
- Development orders
- Other documents that show qualifying military service
Other Resources
The Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and Press 1 or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Austin Vet Center
The Austin Vet Center offers confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Their services include counseling for needs such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST). They can also connect you with more support within the VA and your community. You can contact them at 512-416-1314.
VA Austin Outpatient Clinic
Offers a variety of healthcare services for veterans as part of the VA's Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. Located at 7901 Metropolis Drive, Austin, TX 78744.
Samaritan Center
The Samaritan Center has been serving individuals and families in Central Texas since 1974. They envision a healthy and compassionate community where every individual achieves mental, physical, spiritual and social well-being. They heal hearts, provide hope, and enhance lives with a holistic approach to mental health for all ages, whole families and the military community. You can contact them at 512-451-7337.
UT Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC)
CMHC is committed to serving UT’s campus community by providing counseling, psychiatric consultation and prevention services that facilitate students' academic and life goals and enhance their personal growth and wellbeing.
UT Counseling and Mental Health Center Crisis Line
Call the CMHC’s crisis line at 512-471-CALL (2255) to speak with a crisis counselor anytime.
University Health Services
All currently registered UT Austin students have access to University Health Services (UHS), located on campus in the Student Services Building.
Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL)
Do you have concerns about a student, staff, or faculty member's behavior, but you are not sure what to do? Contact BCAL at 512-232-5050 for advice and reporting.
SafePlace
The SafePlace campus provides safety for individuals and families affected by sexual and domestic violence and helps victims in their healing so they can move beyond being defined by the crimes committed against them. For immediate assistance please call 512-267-7233.