Due to Veterans from all eras reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as withdrawal and take over by the Taliban, VA is working quickly to share VA resources, call center information, peer support, and other community services.
If you have questions or wish to collaborate with VA further on reaching more Veterans to get this critical information out, please let me know.
Additional communications will be going out this week on Wednesday evening.
Resources:
Veterans Crisis Line - If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.
Vet Centers - Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.
VA Mental Health Services Guide - This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.
MakeTheConnection.net - information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.
RallyPoint - Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?
Download VA's self-help apps - Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) - Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS) Is Here For You! Request a Peer Mentor or call 800-959-TAPS (8277)
VA Women Veterans Call Center - Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 6:30PM ET)
VA Caregiver Support Line - Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 5PM ET)
Together We Served -Find your battle buddies through unit pages
George W. Bush Institute - Need help or want to talk? Check In or call:1-630-522-4904 or email: checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org
Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes - Join the Community or call 202-249-7170
American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network - Peer Support and Mentoring or call the Hero Care Network at 1-877-272-7337
Team Red, White & Blue - Hundreds of events weekly. Find a chapter in your area.
Student Veterans of America - Find a campus chapter to connect with.
Team Rubicon - Find a local support squad.
Additional community resources and contacts:
Vets4Warriors - 1-855-838-8255 Vets4Warriors | We've been where you are and we're with you now
Wounded Warrior Project 1-888-WWP-ALUM or 1-904-405-1213 and Support for Veterans - Programs for Veterans in Need | WWP (woundedwarriorproject.org)
America’s Warrior Partnership 1-866-AWPVETS America's Warrior Partnership | Empowering Communities to Empower Veterans (americaswarriorpartnership.org)
Travis Manion Foundation – 1-215-348-9080 or email info@travismanion.org
Code of Support 1-571-418-6339 press 1 Code of Support Foundation
Independence Fund The Independence Fund
Blue Star Families Blue Star Families - Find Your People, Build Your Community
ETS Sponsorship ETS Sponsorship Program
Sincerely,
Andi Martinez, MHA
Veterans Experience Office (VEO)
Special Assistant
Partnerships and Agreements Advisor
Department of Veterans Affairs VACO
How are we doing? VA Internal Customer Experience Feedback Survey (research.net)