National Guard, Reservists Peer-to-Peer Hotline Unveiled

You’re not alone… anytime, anywhere.

That’s the promise on the Vets4Warriors website and to drive home that point, the  National Guard has established a toll-free peer-to-peer counseling hotline for Guard members and Reservists. It’s anonymous to encourage service members to call and be open and honest about problems.

The counselors, who are former military, will help by matching up the callers with available services in their area.

It's okay to remain anonymous on the new Guard and Reservists hotline and at the other end, all the counselors are veterans.

The Vets4Warriors program is not a suicide prevention hotline, instead, it’s a chance to talk soldier-to-soldier about issues and challenges of reintegration with family, employers and community.

Members of the Reserve or Guard can call any time the call center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Army National Guard will run the program that is based at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey which created a similar hotline for law enforcement officers.

• The  toll-free number:  1-855-838-8255 (1-855-VET-TALK)
• There’s also a LIVE CHAT online or email VETS4WARRIORS@UMDNJ.EDU with questions.
• And there’s an Online Resources Library with links to self-care resources, free guides for military families, videos and mobile apps that offer help.