Have questions about peer wellness checks, resiliency, referrals, or crisis intervention? Ask Questions and Share Insights Now!

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Share your stories, insights, and how your buddy checks are going now through October 23rd.

VA and community experts will be here to answer your questions on October 16th regarding peer wellness checks, resiliency, referrals to VA for care, and crisis intervention. Tell us how you are reaching your battle buddies, family, caregivers, and survivors.

You can ask questions to the following people:
» Melissa Comeau - Director, Military and Veteran Caregiver Network, American Red Cross
» Sgt Christopher Vidaurre - Senior Program Manager, George W. Bush Institute
» SSG Jonathan Pylypiv - Community Engagement Manager, Fox Valley Veterans Council
» Aaron Eagan - Director, Community Based Suicide Prevention, VHA
» SGT Tiffany Ellett - Division Director, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, American Legion
» Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton - Senior Director, Suicide Prevention/Postvention, TAPS

Learn More: https://rly.pt/VANationalBuddyCheckWeek

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Melissa Comeau

Posted 11 mo ago

Military and veteran caregivers, did you know you can participate in Buddy Check Week?

American Red Cross - Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide resources to caregivers during this important week. National Buddy Check Week is October 16-20, 2023.

To learn more about Buddy Check Week, watch this video from the Director of MVCN, Melissa Comeau: https://lnkd.in/gY9pNVcG.

MVCN: https://lnkd.in/g3VkuCb9
Buddy Check Week: https://lnkd.in/g3xmXPDY
#BuddyCheckWeek #MilitaryCaregivers #VeteranCaregivers #milvetcaregiver #Veterans #Caregivers #Buddycheck

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

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PO2 Miguel Estrema

Posted 11 mo ago

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Melissa Comeau

11 mo

GREAT photos! What is the pups name?

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PO2 Miguel Estrema

11 mo

Valerie
She’s Lab/Shep mix (4yrs) [my service dog]

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CPT David Gowel

Posted 11 mo ago

Thanks for joining! How does the VA offer peer support to the veteran, family, and caregiver community? Also does VA work with non-gov't organizations who offer related support?

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Leah Christensen

11 mo

Thanks for your question! The Caregiver Support Program offers a Peer Support Mentoring Program for caregivers enrolled in the Program of General Caregiver Support Services or the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. This program provides opportunities for a caregiver to connect and build a relationship with other caregivers walking along a similar journey. For more information, visit: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/Peer_Support_Mentoring_Program.asp or contact the local Caregiver Support Program team by visiting: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support/New_CSC_Page.asp.

In terms of related support, CSP is so fortunate to work closely with the Military Veteran Caregiver Network: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html who offer peer support and the Military Spouse Advocacy Network: https://www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org/ who offer mentorship, including to Veteran caregivers.

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

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Elyse Kaplan

11 mo

Good Afternoon and thank you for your question. There are several areas for peer support within the Veterans Health Administration. Ms. Christensen mentioned peer support mentoring above. Within the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, VA offers peer support services in Primary Care through the Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) as well as embedded peer specialists in many mental health, recovery and substance use related programs, nationally. Within Suicide Prevention, the Veterans Crisis Line offers peer support services to some Veterans following a Veterans contacting the Veterans Crisis Line. The Veterans Crisis Line has certified peer specialists on staff to work with Veterans who may benefit from peer to peer connections.

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

https://www.veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov/142,41684_VA#:~:text=Veterans%20can%20ask%20for%20a%20referral%20for%20peer,a%20peer%20support%20service%20organization%20in%20their%20community.

Veterans Crisis Line

24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

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Melissa Comeau

11 mo

Great question CPT David Gowel The Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network offers 3 peer support programs to caregivers and veterans that are caregivers. We have a secure online community, one to one peer mentorship and caregiver peer support groups. We share the journey with caregivers of all eras, all relationships, across all locations. You can leran more here https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html

Military and Veteran Caregiver Network

The Military Veteran Caregiver Network provides our nation’s pre- and post-9/11-era military and veteran caregivers with peer support.

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SSG Jonathan Pylypiv

Posted 12 mo ago

Thank you.

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Melissa Comeau

Posted 11 mo ago

Hello! My name is Melissa Comeau and I am the Director of the Military and Veteran Caregiver Network at the American Red Cross. I am also the spouse and caregiver to a combat wounded Marine. We serve caregivers of all eras as well as veterans who are caregivers. You can learn more about our programs and services here https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html