For 24/7 confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones, please call 9-8-8 (press “1” for Veterans) or text “838255” to chat. You may also call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room for immediate medical assistance.
Veterans Mental Health Department (VMHD)
Ensuring Access to Competent Mental Health Services for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families
The Veterans Mental Health Department (VMHD) is focused on ensuring access to competent mental health services for service members, veterans, and their families.
VMHD accomplishes this task by providing training, certification, and technical assistance across Texas.
About Veterans Mental Health
In addition to connecting veterans in need directly to local services, VMHD also works with partners at the national, state, and local level to address veteran-specific issues including suicide prevention/intervention, veteran homelessness, military cultural competency, peer support services, military-related trauma, women and rural veterans, and justice involvement.
Across all programming, VMHD is fortunate to have the broadest definition of veteran regardless of discharge status, branch of services, or having served one day or a career. All services including training, technical assistance, and direct services provided across VMHD programming are offered freely to all who are in need.
Explore our free trainings & opportunities.
Mental Health Leadership
Brenda Keller
Director, Mental Health Department
Air Force Lt. Colonel
LCSW-S
Brenda.Keller@tvc.texas.gov
(512) 676-1895
Amber Morson
Operations Manager, Mental Health Department
Amber.Morson@tvc.texas.gov
(512) 567-5477
Mental Health News & Media
Upcoming Mental Health Events
Frequently Asked Mental Health Questions
Who We Are
We work with partners at the national, state, and local level to address a wide variety of veteran-specific issues.
Positions Available
#53496
TVC Rural & Faith Based Program Coordinator
Program Specialist IV
The Rural and Faith-Based Program Coordinator serves as a vital member of the Veterans Mental Health Department responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and facilitating the implementation of a network of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that provide and coordinate programs and services to support Veterans and their families in rural communities.
#52410
TVC Justice Involved Veteran Program Manager
Program Specialist V
Serves as a key member of the Veterans Mental Health Department, responsible for coordinating and implementing strategies that support the Texas Veterans Commission’s efforts related to Justice-Involved Veterans. This includes developing program strategies and working with agencies involved in law enforcement, pre-trial processes, adjudication, incarceration, parole, and probation.
A History of Helping Veterans
VMHD is a branch of the Texas Veterans Commission. TVC was created in 1927 as the State Service Office to assist veterans of the Indian wars, Spanish-American War and World War I.
107,000
Homeless Veterans on the Street
31.6
Veteran Suicide Rate per 100,000
Why It Matters
Military trauma-affected SMVF often have difficulty accessing timely mental health resources due to factors, which include; an individual’s difficulty in recognition of their mental health needs, lack of resources available upon recognition of mental health needs, difficulty accessing mental health resources, and a lack of community-level awareness of military-related traumas resulting in mental health conditions.
The VMHD provides military trauma-informed training and technical assistance to create greater awareness of and access to mental health resources for SMVF.
Resources & Documents
- 2024 Mental Health Program for Veterans [PDF, 442.44 KB]
- Instructional Guide for Family Members and Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans with Behavioral Health Conditions [PDF, 789.22 KB]
- Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services [PDF, 10.50 MB]
- TVC Biennial Report FY 2023-24 [PDF, 5.30 MB]
- H.R. 6961 [PDF, 112.70 KB]
- Veterans in Texas: A Demographic Study [PDF, 6.71 MB]
- Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Strategic Plan FY 2024 [PDF, 2.11 MB]
- Men Overcoming Military Sexual Trauma [PDF, 1.74 MB]
- You’re Not Alone in Recovering from Military Sexual Trauma [PDF, 757.47 KB]
- WOMEN: You’re Not Alone in Recovering from Military Sexual Trauma [PDF, 668.83 KB]
- SAAM FAQ [PDF, 197.09 KB]
- Top 10 Things All Healthcare and Service Professions should know about Military Sexual Trauma [PDF, 366.08 KB]
- Military Sexual Trauma General Fact Sheet [PDF, 325.95 KB]
- VETS Resource Guide July 2023 [PDF, 2.88 MB]
- Military Sexual Trauma: What Civilian Providers Need to Know [PDF, 529.19 KB]