DSTRESS Line for Marines

The DSTRESS Line is a pilot program for active duty, Reserve, Veterans and retirees, as well as their families, in the western US, Hawaii, and Alaska. Callers will speak with Veteran Marines, our former corpsmen, and licensed behavioral health counselors who have been specifically trained in Marine Corps culture and ethos. If successful, this pilot will be rolled out Marine Corps-wide in 2012.

Who

The DSTRESS Line is available to all Marines (Regular, Reserve, Veteran, or retiree), attached Sailors, and family members in the ‘designated area.’ Callers will speak with veteran Marines, former FMF corpsmen with years of experience on ‘the green side’, and licensed behavioral health counselors who have taken Marine Corps-specific training to understand our culture.

What

The DSTRESS Line is an anonymous behavioral health counseling service operated through TRICARE that gives Marines, attached Sailors, and family members a place to call and speak with “one of their own.” It’s a place to call and talk about stress in our lives-from the common everyday stressors to post-traumatic stress. It’s non-medical. DSTRESS Line counselors won’t diagnose symptoms, but they will work with callers to help with a way forward.

Where

During this test phase, the DSTRESS Line is only available to callers in the TRICARE Region West area. This region is served by TriWest Healthcare Alliance, and includes: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and a portion of western Texas that includes El Paso and the Ft. Bliss area. Marines, attached Sailors, and family members located outside of this designated area who are seeking assistance for behavioral health needs should contact their regional providers or other national call centers already in operation, which includes:

• TRICARE
• Military One Source
• Defense Centers of Excellence Outreach Center
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline or 1-800-273-8255

When

The call lines are open 24/7/365. During this test phase, Marine veterans and FMF corpsmen are typically available from 0700-2300. When Marine veterans and FMF corpsmen are not available, calls will be answered by counselors who have received Marine-specific training in our culture.

Why

Marines want to talk with someone who understands them as a Marine. The DSTRESS Line provides Marines, attached Sailors, and family members with a place to call and speak with ‘one of their own.’ It is a place to call and talk about problems before they turn into a crisis. The DSTRESS Line helps callers increase resilience and develop the necessary skills required to cope with the widely varying challenges of life in the Corps and the inevitable stress of combat operations.

How

Callers can talk to DSTRESS Line representatives and counselors by phone or Skype, and can use the Chat feature found on www.dstressline.com. If you would like more info about the DSTRESS Line please call 703-432-9707 or email [email protected]