In an expansion of its traditional client base, Department of Veterans Affairs officials are
offering grief counseling to families of service members who have died while on active duty.
Greg Harms, program analyst for the counseling program, said 412 military family members —
spouses, children, siblings, parents and grandparents — have taken advantage of the program in
order to cope with the loss of their 276 service members. Most were killed during deployments in
Iraq and Afghanistan. Referrals for grief counseling come through military casualty assistance
offices, the VA, and veterans service organizations. The largest number of referrals comes from
the nonprofit Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, which offers what Harms calls
“incredible peer-to-peer support” but no professional bereavement counseling services. Families
requesting more information or services also can contact readjustment counseling service
officials directly at (202) 273-9116 or by e-mail at
href=”mailto:vet.center@hq.med.va.gov”>vet.center@hq.med.va.gov
