Many veterans in metro Atlanta use VA Community Care or TRICARE to fund treatment for mental health concerns and/or addiction.
The Valor Behavioral Health team develops personalized, evidence-based treatment plans. We meet the unique needs of veterans affected by mental illnesses and compulsive substance use.
Learn more about mental health treatment in Atlanta or verify your insurance now.
Healthcare Coverage for Veterans in Metro Atlanta
Eligibility for VA Community Care and TRICARE is based on several factors. Some veterans qualify for benefits through both programs. Others may be eligible for one, and still others may not meet the criteria for either.
VA Community Care
The VA health care system is for veterans who served at least 24 months on active duty. They must meet certain other eligibility requirements.
When eligible veterans or covered family members can’t get the care they need at a nearby VA facility, they may be referred to an outside provider in their area. This aspect of VA-funded healthcare is the Community Care Program.
Quick facts about Community Care:
- The Community Care network is organized into five regions that cover all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
- Responsibilities are managed by two private companies that the VA has designated as “third party administrators.”
- Three of the Community Care network’s five regions are managed by Optum Serve and the other two are handled by TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
- Veterans who reside in metro Atlanta are in Region 3, which includes Georgia, eight other states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The third-party administrator for Region 3 is Optum Serve.
TRICARE
TRICARE is the U.S. government’s health insurance provider for active-duty servicemembers, retirees, family members, and certain other eligible individuals.
This policy is organized into three regions, managed by contracted private companies:
- TRICARE East, which includes 24 states and the District of Columbia, is managed by Humana Military.
- TRICARE West, which includes 26 states, is administered by TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
- TRICARE Overseas, which includes Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories, is handled by International SOS.
- Eligible veterans in metro Atlanta are covered under TRICARE East.
Common Mental Health Concerns Among Veterans
An August 2023 StatPearls article reported that mental health concerns among veterans include PTSD, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation.
PTSD
PTSD is a serious mental health condition that can occur in the aftermath of one or more particularly horrifying events. The types of experiences that can lead to PTSD include military combat, sexual assault, physical attacks, serious illnesses, and life-threatening automobile accidents.
Estimates of how many veterans have PTSD vary depending on the source of the data and the population segment being studied:
- The National Center for PTSD has reported that 7% of veterans will develop PTSD at some point in their lifetime.
- The center also noted that PTSD is more common among female veterans (13%) than male veterans (6%).
- A May 2025 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that the weighted lifetime prevalence of PTSD among U.S. military veterans is 14.4%.
- The study also reported that 7.3% of veterans had PTSD symptoms within the previous 30 days.
The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) states that the lifetime prevalence of PTSD among the general public is 6.8% and the past-year prevalence is 3.6%.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the U.S., with the NIMH reporting that 8.3% of adults have experienced at least one major depressive episode in the previous 12 months. The problem seems to be even more prevalent among certain military members.
A May 2025 study in the journal BMJ Military Health reported the following about depression among military members and veterans:
- A UK study found that military members are twice as likely has civilians to have depression or anxiety.
- A 2012 study determined that 15% of soldiers returning from deployment exhibited symptoms of depression.
- 14%–16% of U.S. military members who deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq developed PTSD or depression.
- The lifetime rate of depression among National Guard troops may be as high as 23%.
- Female and unmarried veterans may have the highest risk of depression.
The authors of this study acknowledged that there is a “relatively high prevalence of depression among active-duty and veteran military personnel.” However, they did not find ample evidence to support the conclusion that military service itself increases a person’s risk of developing a depressive disorder.
Addiction
The effects of depression, PTSD, and other mental illnesses can include an increased risk of substance abuse. And people who use alcohol or other drugs to ease their mental health symptoms may put themselves in danger of developing an addiction.
A 2017 study in the journal Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation reported that 11% of veterans who were seeking care for the first time at a VA facility met the criteria for a substance use disorder.
Other findings from that study about substance abuse among veterans:
- Rates of addiction were about twice as high among male veterans as female veterans.
- Veterans diagnosed with a substance use disorder were three to four times more likely to be diagnosed with depression or PTSD than were service members who didn’t have an addiction.
- Veterans were more likely than civilians to report past-month alcohol use and heavy alcohol use.
- Veterans with high levels of combat exposure were more likely to engage in heavy drinking (26.8%) and binge drinking (54.8%) than were military personnel who didn’t have combat experience (17% heavy drinking and 45% binge drinking).
- About 4% of veterans reported misusing an illicit drug in the previous month, which is about the same level as among civilians.
Suicidal Ideation
In May 2025, the nonprofit research organization RAND released a review of suicide statistics among veterans (from 2022).
That article noted that the suicide rate among U.S. military veterans was more than double the rate among the civilian population.
Additional information about suicide among U.S. veterans in 2022:
- The age-adjusted suicide rate among male veterans was about 44% higher than among male civilians. Among female veterans, the suicide rate was 92% higher than among female civilians.
- Veterans diagnosed with a mental illness or substance use disorder were nearly two times more likely to die by suicide.
- 64% of veterans who died by suicide were diagnosed with depression. 40% had PTSD, and 32% were addicted to alcohol.
- Veterans ages 55 and above accounted for 60% of all suicide deaths among military veterans.
- 40% of veterans who died by suicide had received care through the VA in the previous 12 months.
Though the statistics discussed in today’s post are clearly concerning, the situation is far from hopeless. Addictions, mental health disorders, and suicidal thoughts are all treatable conditions.
Finding a treatment provider that will take the time to identify the full scope of your symptoms is crucial. Next, they should develop a customized plan that aligns with your unique history, needs, and goals.
Valor Behavioral Health may be the ideal place to begin your journey toward a healthier and more hopeful future. We provide the focused care you need within the safe and respectful environment you deserve.
Learn More About Outpatient Mental Health Treatment for Veterans in Metro Atlanta
Valor Behavioral Health offers personalized outpatient care for veterans. We treat depression, PTSD, other mental illnesses, and addictions. Our services include dual diagnosis programming for veterans who have both a mental health concern and a substance use disorder.
Treatment options at our center in Atlanta, GA, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), evening IOP, virtual (online) IOP, and outpatient program (OP).
Call 866-859-3442 today to learn more or schedule a free assessment, or verify your insurance now.
