VA Support for Veterans Facing Legal & Mental Health Challenges with Lily Thomas Artwork

Untold Valor: Veterans Recovery in Action

Welcome to Untold Valor, a podcast with a unique focus on veterans with stories of courage, recovery, perseverance and strength. Listen as veterans share their perspectives on what it's like to battle mental health challenges, combat addictions, and overcome other adversities unique to those who have served. We'll also speak with experts who have valuable experience working with veterans through their recovery journeys. Our mission is to reach veterans with a message of recovery and hope. Untold Valor is made possible by Voice & Vision... Bringing help, hope and healing to individuals, families and communities affected by mental illness, addictions, and disabilities in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Voice & Vision's work with veterans began with one veteran meeting another who had mental health challenges and was very isolated. The impact of that relationship on both veterans was life-changing, and a mission to expand that work led to CompeerCORPS, a network of military veterans who provide peer mentoring friendships with other veterans. These veterans spend time together each week promoting mental health and substance use recovery through the healing power of camaraderie, support and friendship. Financial support for Untold Valor is provided by a Veterans' Trust Fund grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Resources: Voice & Vision: https://voiceandvisioninc.org/ CompeerCORPS: https://voiceandvisioninc.org/compeercorps/ #Recovery #WholisticHealth #Community #podcasting #podcasts #podcastcommunity #podcasterthoughts #veterans #camaraderie #support #friendship #mentalhealth #mentoring #UntoldValor #help #hope #healing #individuals #families #communities #mental illness #addictions #disabilities #battle #courage #recovery #perseverance #strength #life #lifechanging #brokenness #willingness #understanding #therapy #communication #thriving #success #negativethoughts #win #openness #suicide #family

All Episodes

Untold Valor: Veterans Recovery in Action

VA Support for Veterans Facing Legal & Mental Health Challenges with Lily Thomas

March 26, 2026 • Voice & Vision, Inc. & CompeerCORPS • Season 4

0:00 | 17:46

In this episode, we sit down with Lily Thomas, a Veterans Justice Outreach social worker at the Coatesville VA Medical Center, to explore how veterans can access support when facing legal, mental health, or substance use challenges. Lily shares how early intervention, treatment programs, and community partnerships are helping veterans rebuild stability and avoid deeper legal consequences. If you or someone you know has served and needs support, this conversation highlights practical pathways to get connected with the right resources and take the first step toward recovery.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

How the Veterans Justice Outreach Program helps justice-involved veterans get connected to treatment
The Veterans Response Team and its role in supporting veterans in crisis
What Veterans Treatment Court is and how it helps veterans address legal and mental health challenges
The wide range of inpatient and outpatient VA services available for veterans
Why reaching out to the VA can make a big difference for veterans

0:00 – Intro

1:06 – Lily’s Role at the VA

3:19 – Veterans Response Team

6:36 – Veterans Treatment Court

8:43 – Mental Health & Treatment Services

12:49 – Make The Phone Call

Lily Thomas

Learn more about Lily Thomas HERE

Episode Links:

VA Coatesville Health Care:

https://www.va.gov/coatesville-health-care/programs/first-responders-veterans-response-team/

EPISODE RESOURCES

Need immediate help? Contact the Veterans Crisis Line via phone, text or online chat. Dial 988 then Press 1 or text 838255 or use the online chat at https://bit.ly/3OunXzg

Voice & Vision: https://bit.ly/3miwFoy

CompeerCORPS: https://bit.ly/3GgKryU

Information on how to apply for VA Healthcare Benefits from anywhere in the USA: https://bit.ly/40PtrrN or call 877-222-8387 (M-F 8am-8pm EST)

To apply for veteran’s benefits and find resources in Pennsylvania veterans need to contact their County Office of Veterans Affairs as listed in this document: https://bit.ly/3m8PBWS

View more about PA’s resources for veterans: https://bit.ly/416cf0Q