Resources to Behavioral Healthcare and Resources for Veterans and Caregivers of Veterans
I have compiled some behavioral healthcare resources, primarily located in the Chicagoland (Illinois) area that can be helpful to families. Some of these resources will be outside the VA, but others may be associated with the VA (will be noted). My goal is to continuously update this page as I continue to meet for organizations and individuals that I see are working to truly support Veterans and their families.
Are you a provider caring for Veterans in your community?
Please e-mail me at Nurse4Wear@gmail.com if you are a provider or organization supporting Veterans and are interested in having their information posted here. Once I receive your information, I will reach out and schedule an interview.
The Road Home Program – IOP/PHP/Counseling Services
The Rush Road Home Program – Counseling, IOP and PHP Services
Cost: Free to All Veterans
The Road Home Program is a grant funded program of Rush University that offers a two week treatment program offered in Chicago for no cost. In addition, they offer in-person and virtual counseling for Veterans and their family for no cost. Counseling is available to all Illinois residents and the two-week programs are offered to any Veteran living anywhere in the United States, and they provide living space for you as well during that time.
Click here to learn about the Road Home Program at Rush:
Veteran Caregiver Support Program (VA*)
Cost: Free to Veteran Caregivers (some requirements, see links below)
Being a caregiver means you need support for you and the family member you are supporting. The VA offers a wonderful programs to support caregivers in supporting the Veterans they care for and better connect them with resources. Providing care can be physical care, but it can also look like other things as Veterans navigate behavioral health symptoms that often impact and impede quality of life. Sometimes caregiving looks like coordinating care, taking care of responsibilities that may fall to you when your partner is unable, transporting to and from appointments, etc. This is the nature of caregiving, and support to a family here can be valuable.
Click here to learn about the Program of General Caregiving Support Services at the VA: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/care_caregivers.asp
Click here to find which caregiver support team is nearest to you: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/New_CSC_Page.asp
Salute Inc. – Financial Support for Veterans in a Time of Urgent Need
Cost: Free to apply, but requirements and application process is required (see link below).
SALUTE provides everyday essentials at the most critical time, offering assistance with housing costs, utility bills, car expenses and food. Please see their application for specific assistance requirements – there are service connection and documentation required to ensure that funds are being provided to most appropriately help Veterans who have a need.
Click here to see Salute’s Application Requirements and Apply for Assistance: https://www.saluteinc.org/get-assistance/
Esketamine (Spravato) Treatment for Depression
Spravato (Esketamine) for Depression: A Breakthrough Option for Treatment-Resistant Cases
Esketamine, a nasal spray derived from ketamine, has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment for depression, particularly for those who haven’t found relief with traditional therapies. Approved by the FDA, esketamine works differently than standard antidepressants, targeting NMDA receptors in the brain to rapidly reduce symptoms of depression. Administered in a supervised clinical setting, it begins to work within hours, providing fast relief for those facing severe, treatment-resistant depression. With its potential to make a significant impact in a relatively short time, esketamine offers new hope to patients and families looking for effective solutions when other options have failed.
Community Providers offering Spravato:
Suburban Behavioral Health
Psychiatrist: Dr. M. Golewale
Located in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
Call to schedule: 630-250-3862
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment for Depression
TMS Treatment for Depression: A Non-Invasive Approach
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an innovative, non-invasive treatment for depression, especially effective for those who haven’t found relief through traditional medications or therapies. TMS uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. The sessions are generally quick—around 20-40 minutes—and done on an outpatient basis, with minimal side effects like mild scalp discomfort or headache. With a course of treatments, many patients experience significant improvement in their symptoms, making TMS a promising option for those struggling with depression. If you or a loved one are considering alternatives to medication, TMS could be worth exploring with your mental health provider.
Providers Offering TMS Treatment in Chicagoland:
Suburban Behavioral Health
Located in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
Call: 630-250-3862
Resources for Your Healthcare Provider on Service Connection
Many civilian providers are not educated in service connection, and may be hesitant to complete disability benefit questionnaires (DBQs) or write Nexus letters because they do not understand the nature of the request. At least, unfortunately, this was what my husband and I witnessed on his journey. If you have a healthcare provider you would like to request a letter or DBQ from, provide them with a link to our site with some information about navigating service connection: https://nurse4wear.wordpress.com/resources-for-nurse-practitioners-understanding-service-connection-for-veterans-benefits/
Lutheran General Hospital
Spravato Clinic Psychiatrist: Dr. M. Filippo
1875 Dempster St Suite 470, Park Ridge, IL 60068
Call to schedule: (847) 795-3100
Veteran Family Advocacy and Behavioral Health Resources (Chicagoland, IL)
I am a Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Educator completing my schooling as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I look forward to working with patients across the lifespan, but I am extremely passionate about working with Veterans and Caregivers of Veterans in the spirit of advocacy and connection, and to support their healing journeys with resources. Any resource listed on this page is an organization I have working with in some compact, and have had positive interactions with. If you have questions, please feel free to reach me at anne@hopeinmotion.co
-Anne Simmons, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, AMB-BC, CNE
Hope in Motion Integrative Psychiatric Wellness 