VA Offers Veteran Support Services and Resources for Women

2020-09-25T14:47:24-04:00

As we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, we can all agree that every suicide is a tragedy. Every life is precious and deserves help in times of crisis. What can we do if our friends, colleagues, or loved ones do not seek or want help? We cannot give up on anyone. If you are a Veteran who is experiencing a mental health crisis and thinking about self-harm—or if you know a Veteran who is considering this—please get help right away. You are not alone!

The Veterans Crisis Line is available for Veterans and their family and friends with free, confidential support, available 24/7 (1-800-273-TALK (8255), Press 1).

There are many concrete things you can do:

1) Be mindful and knowledgeable about the signs, symptoms, and triggers of mental illness. This is key to getting help for yourself or someone else in crisis. Some of us may not be aware that we are suffering from mental illness. Studying this list of warning signs from VA can benefit all of us by increasing our awareness.
2) Seek opportunities and share resources to encourage, help, or support others. The VA published a list of resources to specifically help women Veterans in need. Even small acts of kindness can go a long way. Every life is worth the effort it takes to show compassion.
3) VA is a national leader in suicide prevention. According to studies from VA, the rate of suicide was 2.2 times higher among female Veterans compared with non-Veteran adult women. Among women who used VHA services, there was no increase in the suicide rate or the number of suicide deaths from 2016 to 2017. One of the programs VA offers to service women and recently separated women Veterans is the Women’s Health Transition Training to educate them on health services, with an emphasis on mental health services for women. Service women and recently separated women Veterans are encouraged to sign up for a Women’s Health Transition Training session to learn about all these resources available from VHA. This course—established to connect and build awareness to transitioning service women—is led by a live, women Veteran who has experience with VHA services. The topics in class are broken down into 5 phases:

• Phase 1 – The Shift from Active Duty. You will learn about VHA, the transition from active duty to civilian or Guard/Reserve and making the change from the military health system to VHA.
• Phase 2 – Understanding the VHA. You will learn about the VA, Women’s health providers, the MISSION Act, and programs that support the need for women-specific health care.
• Phase 3 – Available Women’s Health Services. You will hear about the health services available to you if you enroll in VA health care.
• Phase 4—Enrolling in the VA. You will learn about the eligibility and enrollment process.
• Phase 5 – Transition Assistance. You will learn about other available support services and partners as you transition out of active duty.

Many participants have shared positive feedback about the course and that they did not know about all the VA offers! To register for a training session, go to http://www.va.gov/womenvet/whtt/. Live, virtual sessions are available twice per day Monday through Friday. Start times may vary.

All service women and women Veterans should feel connected and, not isolated, or alone through the transitioning process. For questions or more information, contact us at [login to see] .

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Sep 25 at 2020 2:49 PM

2020-09-25T14:49:59-04:00

Passing this on to some friends.

Response by Wayne Soares made Sep 25 at 2020 3:11 PM

2020-09-25T15:11:56-04:00

Thanks for the share ma’am

Response by Capt Raymond Sonoda REALTOR® CA Broker CRE ITAR made Sep 25 at 2020 6:42 PM

2020-09-25T18:42:54-04:00

Thanks for this important share of awareness and action.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Sep 25 at 2020 11:19 PM

2020-09-25T23:19:22-04:00

Thank you!

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Sep 30 at 2020 12:12 PM

2020-09-30T12:12:05-04:00

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Sep 30 at 2020 4:10 PM

2020-09-30T16:10:19-04:00

Thanks for sharing.

Response by MSG Felipe De Leon Brown made Sep 30 at 2020 6:09 PM

2020-09-30T18:09:54-04:00

Great share, Charlie.

Response by SSG Franklin Briant made Sep 30 at 2020 7:22 PM

2020-09-30T19:22:08-04:00

Thanks for the info share.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Sep 7 at 2022 10:11 PM

2022-09-07T22:11:05-04:00

I am glad they provide these services for women in uniform.