If you served in the Middle East, watching the current conflict unfold on your phone might feel like more than just news, it could be triggering painful memories of deployments, combat, or lost friends. Governor Gavin Newsom and California’s Department of Veterans Affairs want you to know that what you’re experiencing is real, it’s valid, and help is available.

The continuous stream of headlines, images, and uncertainty surrounding the ongoing Middle East conflict can hit veterans hard. For those who’ve been deployed to the region, these events often bring back powerful emotional responses and flashbacks. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally drained right now.

“California is committed to supporting our veterans who bravely answered the call to serve our country”, Newsom said in a statement. “For many veterans, particularly those who served in the Middle East, the current conflict may feel deeply personal”.

California Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Lindsey Sin emphasized that reaching out for support isn’t weakness, it’s strength. “If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or having memories of past deployments, we’re here for you”, Sin said.

The state is backing this up with actual resources. Through the California Veterans Health Initiative, community-based organizations across the Bay Area and statewide are offering free mental health support specifically designed for veterans and their families. Organizations like Swords to Plowshares, which serves thousands of veterans in the Bay Area annually, are standing ready to help people process re-traumatization.

If you need immediate support, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 at no cost. You can call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net. You don’t need to be enrolled in VA benefits to access these services.

For longer-term support, veterans can reach out through several channels: Call 1-844-SERV-VET for veterans services and advocacy, visit your nearest California County Veterans Service Office, or connect with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Centers for counseling and peer support.

Beyond crisis intervention, California has been investing seriously in veteran support. Newsom recently signed legislation strengthening mental health services and secured a $20,000 tax cut for many veterans and military families. The state is also channeling $38 million in mental health grants and $580.5 million for permanent supportive housing through various veteran programs.

These investments are showing results. In 2024, California achieved the nation’s largest reduction in veteran homelessness.

As the conflict continues, California is also honoring the 13 service members who’ve already lost their lives, including one Californian. The state is keeping over 2,500 military personnel currently deployed to the Middle East in mind.

The message is clear: if current events are weighing on you, you don’t have to carry that weight alone. Check in with fellow veterans, reach out to family, or connect with trained counselors. Support is there, you just have to take that first step.