Recent studies have underscored the pressing mental health concerns facing military veterans, revealing a strong correlation between psychological struggles and the need for legal assistance. Veterans are disproportionately affected by mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, often stemming from their service experiences. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that about 20 percent of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD.1 Additionally, veterans face higher rates of depression and suicide compared to the general population. Conditions such as these can significantly impact various aspects of their lives, leading to difficulties in maintaining employment, housing stability, and relationships, often necessitating legal intervention.
Many veterans find themselves entangled in legal issues such as eviction, debt collection, and family law matters. The stress of these legal battles can exacerbate their mental health conditions, creating a vicious cycle. For instance, a veteran struggling with PTSD might have trouble maintaining employment, leading to financial instability and, ultimately, legal issues like foreclosure or bankruptcy. Financial desperation might cause a veteran to engage in illegal activities, leading to further legal troubles. Relationship disputes and arrests for such activities can compound their stress, making it difficult to manage legal expenses. Embarrassment and the fear of judgment often prevent veterans from seeking help, causing them to internalize their problems and make hasty decisions.
Veterans like Brent highlight the importance of seeking help. “There’s no shame in asking for help,” Brent says. “I learned that there are people out there who want to help us, and we’re not alone.”
Legal aid organizations and veterans’ advocacy groups have recognized this intersection of mental health and legal needs. Initiatives such as the Austin Bar Foundation’s Veterans’ Legal Assistance Program (VLAP) and Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV) aim to provide veterans with the necessary legal assistance, often coordinating with mental health services through the VA to address the root causes of their legal problems.
“It’s crucial for veterans to reach out for support. Many veterans do not realize that their mental health struggles can directly lead to legal issues,” said Doug Lawrence, VLAP’s Managing Attorney. “Even the most responsible individuals can encounter financial or legal difficulties. By coupling comprehensive legal support from our program with mental health services through the VA or other local service providers, we can help them find effective solutions and avoid exacerbating their problems, achieve stability, and improve their overall well-being.”
As awareness of these intertwined issues grows, so does VLAP’s commitment to providing comprehensive support and developing solutions that address both the mental health and legal needs of our veteran community.
“Tragically, a veteran commits suicide every 90 minutes,” said Terry Tottenham, former president of the Austin Bar and the State Bar. “The mental health challenges faced by veterans have been well documented. Concomitant with these mental health challenges are burdens imposed by legal obligations. Since 2010, as part of the Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans initiative, the Austin Bar Association has sponsored a Veterans Legal Clinic that has addressed these issues for many veterans over the years.”
VLAP, along with local bar associations and other Texas legal aid organizations, provides support to veterans by hosting pro bono legal clinics across Texas, which are increasingly focusing on holistic approaches to address the multifaceted challenges veterans face. These clinics offer free legal services while working with mental health professionals to ensure veterans receive the comprehensive care they need.
It’s important to note that the majority of veterans who attend these clinics are not looking for help with VA benefits. Their issues largely deal with landlord-tenant disputes, debt collection, and family law matters.
2024 Free Legal Advice Clinics for Veterans, hosted by VLAP
- Monday, July 8
- *AUGUST – N/A
- Monday, September 9
- Monday, October 21
- Monday, November 11
- Monday, December 9
*Due to scheduling conflicts, the Free Legal Advice for Veterans Clinic WILL NOT be held at the VA location in August 2024.
Place: Austin VA Outpatient Clinic
7901 Metropolis Drive, Austin, Texas, 78744
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
*Sign-in starts at 1:30 p.m. Please sign-in before 3:30 p.m.
Our application is now ONLINE!
Walk-ins are welcome to arrive at the clinic’s start time to receive assistance completing our online application.
To best assist you, please bring any paperwork relevant to your case.
Additional resources from the VA, Vet Centers, and accredited Veterans Service Organizations are available to help veterans navigate challenges and offer information on legal services and financial guidance.
The Austin Bar Foundation’s Veterans Legal Assistance Program receives support from Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF), the Texas Bar Foundation, and from the board of directors and members of the Austin Bar Association who volunteer their pro bono services through our program.
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