TMS FOR MILITARY MEMBERS, VETERANS & FAMILIES
When Depression Affects Your Mission, Your Family or Life After Service, TMS Can Help
Seeking care can feel complicated when duty, work, family responsibilities, medication concerns, and years of pushing through are all part of the decision. NeuroStar TMS offers a non-drug treatment option for eligible military members, veterans, spouses, and military-connected adolescents ages 15–21. TRICARE may cover treatment for eligible beneficiaries, including military dependents.
FDA-Cleared
Non-Drug Treatment
Non-Invasive, No Downtime
Covered By TRICARE
Not sure if TMS is the right next step? Start with a quick self-check.
NeuroStar TMS: Depression Treatment Without Adding Another Medication
NeuroStar TMS uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood—like physical therapy for the brain. This non-drug, non-invasive outpatient treatment may offer another path when depression is getting in the way of duty, work, school, relationships, or daily life.
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FDA-cleared for depression treatment in adults and adolescents (15+)
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For adults, TMS is generally considered when antidepressant medication has not provided enough relief
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For adolescents ages 15–21, TMS may be a first treatment option, or as a part of a broader depression treatment plan
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TRICARE may cover TMS therapy when eligibility and authorization requirements are met
Sackeim HA, et al. (2020). J Affective Disorders, 277(12):65-74.
Patient results may vary. The outcomes reported represent the subset of study patients for which the CGI-S data were reported before and after an acute course of NeuroStar TMS. Patients were treated under real-world conditions where they may have been prescribed concomitant depression treatments including medications. “Improvement in depression symptoms” was defined as a CGI-S score ≤3 and “symptom relief (remission)” was defined as a CGI-S score ≤2 at the end of treatment. Patients aged 12 to 21 (average 19.2 ‡ 1.5) were treated under real-world conditions where patients may have been prescribed concomitant depression treatments including medications. "Measurable relief" was defined as a CGI-S score ≤3 and "complete remission" was defined as a CGI-S score ≤2 at the end of treatment.
Military Life Can Affect the Entire Family
The effects of service do not always end with a deployment, discharge, transfer, or return home. Depression can affect active-duty service members, veterans, spouses, and military-connected teens—often alongside years of stress, uncertainty, caregiving, and transition.
When depression continues despite your efforts—or medication has not helped enough—TMS may provide another path to explore.
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Active-duty members, veterans, spouses, and other adult military family members may be evaluated based on their diagnosis and treatment history.
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Military-connected adolescents ages 15–21 may be evaluated for NeuroStar TMS as a first treatment option, or as a part of a broader depression care plan.
Important clarification:
TMS eligibility is based on a qualifying diagnosis and provider evaluation. TMS is a medical treatment, and military-specific medical-readiness or reporting questions should be discussed with the appropriate military medical authority.
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Why TMS May Fit Military Life
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) works differently from medication. It uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood, helping them become more active over time.
What makes it different:
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No medication required
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No sedation
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Targeted—not whole-body effects
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No downtime
When Does TMS Make Sense?
TMS may be worth exploring when depression is affecting duty, work, school, relationships, or family life—and the current path is not providing enough relief.
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You want to explore a non-drug treatment
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Medication has not helped enough, or side effects are difficult
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Symptoms continue to return
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For ages 15–21, you are considering TMS early in care or alongside other treatment
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You need outpatient care that can fit around ongoing responsibilities
What Can You Expect?
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Sessions last about 20 minutes
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Treatment is typically provided five days a week over approximately six weeks
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You remain awake and alert throughout treatment, listening to music or even using your phone
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No anesthesia or recovery time is needed
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You return to work, school, or normal activities afterward
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Your provider will determine the appropriate treatment plan