The Resilient Veteran

"Talk. They Hear You."® Resource for Military Families
2024-04-18 14:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
“Talk. They Hear You.”® Resource for Military Families
Date: April 18, 2024Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Learning Objectives

Discuss ways to prevent underage drinking and other substance use among youth
Discover resources for parents, caregivers, community, partners, educators, and more about having informed conversations
Identify opportunities to empower the voices of military-affiliated youth

Presenter

Robert M. Vincent, M.S.Ed., Associate Administrator, Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Policy, Office of the Director, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Substance Use Prevention

samRegister Online

ATP 5K - Run, Walk, Ruck
2024-04-28 08:00 - 13:00
ATP is a registered 510(c)(3) nonprofit, providing physical wellness and mental health services to Veterans & First Responders confidentially and free of charge through our Aurelius program. Individuals in our Aurelius program will receive a minimum of 3 physical wellness sessions per week, 4 Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) sessions per week, mental health counseling each week, and 2 adventure days per month for a total of 12 weeks. ATP also has programs for individuals living with neurological or chronic disease & illness, programs for kids, seniors, and athletes. We focus on incorporating strength and aerobic exercise, in combination with balance elements and movement patterns to take a whole body approach in improving functional performance and wellness.
First Annual ATP 5K – Run, Walk, & Ruck

All ages and fitness levels are welcome!
Registration Fee : $35 Adults, $30 Veterans/First Responders, $15 Children 12 and under
Learn more and register to attend online

Options to Run, Walk, or Ruck.

The first 75 participants will receive an ATP drawstring bag and ATP Shirt.
All proceeds benefit nonprofit Adventures in Training with a Purpose, and their military & first responder program, Aurelius.
Advance packet pickup available from AppRunCo on April 27th from 10:00am – 2:00pm. The address for packet pickup is 10616 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090
Day of registration begins at 7:30am. Registration ends promptly at 8:30am, no exceptions.
The race will begin at 9:00am at the North Park Boathouse: 10301 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101.
Post Race Party following the event at Latrobe Shelter & Playground. Address for the post race party is: 991 Tennis Ct Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101

Awards will be given to the following:
Overall Top 3 – Male
Overall Top 3 – Females
Top 3 Seniors (60+)- Male
Top 3 Seniors (60+)- Female
Top 3 Finishers – Children 12 & Under, Male
Top 3 Finishers – Children 12 & Under, Female
Top 3 Finishers – Ruck, Male
Top 3 Finishers – Ruck, Female
Ruck pack weights:
* If you weigh >150 lbs = 30 lb. Ruck Plate
* If you weigh < 150 lbs = 20 lb. Ruck Plate
– Water/Hydration. 1L minimum required. Hydration Bladder and a Nalgene recommended.
Following the race, we will have a post-race party on the second floor of the boathouse.

Packet Pickup Information
Advance packet pickup available from AppRunCo on April 27th from 10:00am – 2:00pm. The address for packet pickup is 10616 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090.

Mind-Body Workshop
2024-05-04 10:00 - 11:30
Join the American Red Cross for Introduction to Mind-Body Skills. This workshop teaches:
• Breathing
• Mindfulness Techniques
• Stretching and Movement
• Body Awareness and Functioning
• Guided Imagery
When: May 4th at 10am-11:30am
Where: American Red Cross Southwestern PA Chapter, 2801 Liberty Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Service members, veterans and their families are taught how to improve their wellbeing through skills that connect the body with the mind. Attendees learn the foundational tools from which they can build a mind-body practice for themselves to reduce stress and improve personal wellness.
Who Should Attend this Workshop?
o Active duty service members
o Service-separated (all types) and retired veterans
o Members of the Guard and Reserves
o Family members, both dependent and non-dependent
For more information please email ryan.erdman@redcross.org

INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
2024-05-10 13:00 - 14:00
INTEGRATING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE INTO SUICIDE RESPONSE (ITIC)
Suicide Prevention Training
The Integrating Trauma Informed Care into Suicide Response course will describe the role of trauma in both risk for suicide behaviors and in coping with suicide loss. It is a one-hour virtual training primarily designed for those who work with people at risk for suicide, such as health care providers and social service professionals.
The curriculum covers the role of trauma in suicide risk, the SAMHSA principles of trauma informed care, as well as specific trauma informed strategies to utilize with survivors of suicide.
Trainings are open to anyone and will be delivered virtually, via Zoom.
Funded by the CDC’s Division of Injury Prevention
Call: 878-208-8186
Email: pag109@pitt.edu
SIGN-UP TODAY!
https://tinyurl.com/4p6kamf7
Upcoming ITIC Training Sessions:
• Friday, May 10th , 2024 from 1:00-2:00 PM

QPR + CALM Training
2024-05-14 10:00 - 13:00, 2024-05-24 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-06-04 13:00 - 17:00
QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.
This date also offers a 1-hour Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Training (CALM) directly after the QPR sessions. You can opt-in to one or both trainings.
Pennsylvania suicide rates, especially in rural counties, are higher than the national average. QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is an individual who can recognize a crisis and the warning signs of someone possibly contemplating suicide. Anyone can become a gatekeeper: parents. friends, neighbors, teachers, athletic coaches, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, etc. Gatekeepers come from all walks of life and do not require any prior training or education.
Click on the image to download. You can access the registration online. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!

Join the Caregiver Support Program
2024-05-15 19:00 - 20:00
Join the Caregiver Support Program
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is excited to continue virtual events for caregivers of Veterans. Check out May’s schedule below.
Calls will be held on the following dates and times:
Wednesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, May 22 at 3 p.m. ET
To listen to the CSL monthly education calls, dial +1 347-566-4838 Conference ID: 521 546 087#. Caregivers who are unable to listen to the calls can access presentations on the CSL webpage.
Reach Out to Your Caregiver Support Team!
Every VA facility has a Caregiver Support Team (CST). CST’s provide support and service referrals, and valuable information about resources to help you stay informed and supported as you care for your Veteran. Contact your local CST to learn about more events happening in your area.

SAFE Project | SAFE Veterans
2024-05-16 14:00 - 15:30
SAFE Project | SAFE Veterans
Date: May 16, 2024Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Learning Objectives

Discover workshops geared toward supporting military families and caregivers
Learn how the Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic (SAFE) Project is working with civilian and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals to educate on opioids and discuss alternatives
Understand how the SAFE Project is working to promote wellness among those who serve and their family members

Presenters

Kelly Niedzwiecki, M.M.A.S., Senior Director of SAFE Veterans, SAFE Project
Leslie Plaia, M.Ed., Executive Director, Substance Use and Behavioral Health, SAFE Project

Register online

Join the Caregiver Support Program
2024-05-22 15:00 - 16:00
Join the Caregiver Support Program
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is excited to continue virtual events for caregivers of Veterans.
A call will be held on Wednesday, May 22 at 3 p.m. ET
To listen to the CSL monthly education calls, dial +1 347-566-4838 Conference ID: 521 546 087#. Caregivers who are unable to listen to the calls can access presentations on the CSL webpage.
Reach Out to Your Caregiver Support Team!
Every VA facility has a Caregiver Support Team (CST). CST’s provide support and service referrals, and valuable information about resources to help you stay informed and supported as you care for your Veteran. Contact your local CST to learn about more events happening in your area.

Caregiver Support Line
2024-06-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-06-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-06-26 15:00 - 16:00
Join the Caregiver Support Program this June
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is excited to continue virtual events for caregivers of Veterans. Check out June’s schedule below.

Find Time to Take Care of You
Join May’s VA Caregiver Support Line (CSL) Monthly Educational Calls for Balance in the Eye of the Storm: Self-Care when Caring for a Loved One with Mental Health Concerns. Calls will be held on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. ET
Wednesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, June 26 at 3 p.m. ET

To listen to the CSL monthly education calls, dial +1 347-566-4838 Conference ID: 521 546 087#. Caregivers who are unable to listen to the calls can access presentations on the CSL webpage.
Reach Out to Your Caregiver Support Team!
Every VA facility has a Caregiver Support Team (CST). CST’s provide support and service referrals, and valuable information about resources to help you stay informed and supported as you care for your Veteran. Contact your local CST to learn about more events happening in your area.

Reconnection Workshop
2024-06-08 10:00 - 11:30
Join the American Red Cross for Reconnection Workshop: Stress Solutions. Stress Solutions is a module designed to help service members, veterans and military families learn the benefits of healthy stress, recognize when stress is unhealthy and know what steps to take to effectively manage stress over the long term.
When: June 8th at 10am-11:30am
Where: Southwestern PA Chapter, 2801 Liberty Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15222
A free and confidential program from the American Red Cross, Reconnection Workshops help service members, veterans and their families returning home to friends, jobs and their communities. Skill-enhancing modules are offered in small groups, and participants can choose from a variety of topics, such as:
• Dealing with stress
• Communicating clearly
• Managing conflict
• Coping with depression
• Supporting children
For more information please email ryan.erdman@redcross.org

Erie, PA VA Women Veterans Health and Wellness Expo
2024-06-08 11:00 - 15:00
When: Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Zem Zem Shrine Club (2525 W 38th St., Erie, PA 16506)
All women Veterans invited! Meet with your Erie VA Women’s Health Program team and community women organizations to learn about the women’s health services available.
Please join us to honor our Women Veterans and enjoy:
• Multiple Vendors
• Chair Massages
• Light Snacks
• Photo Booth
Please RSVP to the Women’s Health Program at 814-860-2907.

QPR + CALM Training
2024-06-11 12:30 - 15:30
QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.
This date also offers a 1-hour Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Training (CALM) directly after the QPR sessions. You can opt-in to one or both trainings.
CALM_flyer_Q22024-2 Pennsylvania suicide rates, especially in rural counties, are higher than the national average. QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is an individual who can recognize a crisis and the warning signs of someone possibly contemplating suicide. Anyone can become a gatekeeper: parents. friends, neighbors, teachers, athletic coaches, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, etc. Gatekeepers come from all walks of life and do not require any prior training or education.
Click on the image to download. You can access the registration online. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!

Promoting Suicide Prevention Among American Indian Service Members, Veterans, and their Families
2024-06-26 14:00 - 15:30
Date: June 26, 2024
Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Register online
Overview
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this listening session seeks input from American Indian/Alaska Native Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF), and community leaders serving this population.
Listening Session Goals

Better understand the views and concerns of tribal communities and find ways to build a strong tribal program for suicide prevention
Ensure representation and elevate Indigenous knowledge throughout all aspects of program planning and implementation

VAPHS Veterans Town Halls on the Move and Resource Fairs
2024-06-27 16:00 - 18:00
VAPHS Veterans Town Halls on the Move and Resource Fairs
3 p.m. Town Hall
Get important updates and hear from VAPHS and VBA leadership and other VA representatives. Our town halls are part of our ongoing effort to use your feedback to improve VA care.

4-6 p.m. Resource Fair
Talk to subject matter experts about programs and services for Veterans, including VA Whole Health, VA benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and much, much more!
Beaver County – June 27
Economy Volunteer Fire
Department Banquet Hall
3308 Conway Wallrose Road
Sewickley, PA 15143
Washington County – July 15
Elks Lodge #776
135 East Maiden Street
Washington, PA 15301
Westmoreland County – July 23
Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department
104 South 2nd Street
Youngwood, PA 15697
Belmont County – July 25
Ohio Valley Mall
Community Room
67800 Mall Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Fayette County – July 31
Morrell Volunteer Fire Department
1232 University Drive
Dunbar, PA 15431

Conversations on the Past, Present, and Future: LGBTQIA+ in Service and Beyond
2024-06-27 18:00 - 20:00
Join PsychArmor Thursday June 27th at 6 PM ET for an engaging conversation on the past, present, and future of the LGBTQIA+ community in service and beyond. Moderated by Duane France, the host of PsychArmor’s “Behind the Mission” podcast, this event will feature exceptional panelists including Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Larry Hetu-Robert, Services Manager and Veteran Liaison, and Arrianna Auva’a, Programs, Grant and Media Certified Veterans Service Officer, who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, Veterans, and subject matter experts. We are excited to present this webcast to a diverse audience of community members, allies, healthcare providers, and more. This initiative is driven by the Michigan Governor’s Challenge and is offered in partnership with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) and Humana.
Register online

July Caregiver Support Program
2024-07-09 10:00 - 11:00
Join the Caregiver Support Program this July
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is excited to continue virtual events for caregivers of Veterans. Check out July’s schedule below.

Roles in Relationships
Join July’s VA Caregiver Support Line (CSL) Monthly Educational Calls for Dual Caregivers: Surviving and Conquering the Challenges. Caregivers doing the brave work of caring for a Veteran and a child will benefit from these sessions. Caring for both Veterans and children requires special attention and support. Calls will be held on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, July 9 at 10 a.m. ET
Wednesday, July 17 at 7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, July 23 at 3 p.m. ET

To listen to the CSL monthly education calls, dial +1 347-566-4838 Conference ID: 521 546 087#. Caregivers who are unable to listen to the calls can access presentations on the CSL webpage.
Reach Out to Your Caregiver Support Team!
Every VA facility has a Caregiver Support Team (CST). CST’s provide support and service referrals, and valuable information about resources to help you stay informed and supported as you care for your Veteran. Contact your local CST to learn about more events happening in your area.
Sincerely,
Your Caregiver Support Team

Butler, PA Vet Fest
2024-07-13 10:00 - 14:00
Saturday, July 13, 2024 from 10am-2pm
Abie Abraham VA Clinic, Butler PA
Special thanks to the Butler VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement for sponsoring this event.
Veterans of all service eras and their families are invited to attend to learn more about Butler VA programs and services, such as the PACT Act and enroll on-site in VA health care.
A special tribute and giveaways will be available for Post 9/11 Veterans.
Facility tours, on-site registration, kids activities, local Veteran Service Organizations, and more will be available to all Veterans and their families.
Call 724-477-5010 for any questions.

VAPHS Veterans Town Halls on the Move and Resource Fairs
2024-07-15 15:00 - 18:00
VAPHS Veterans Town Halls on the Move and Resource Fairs
3 p.m. Town Hall
Get important updates and hear from VAPHS and VBA leadership and other VA representatives. Our town halls are part of our ongoing effort to use your feedback to improve VA care.
4-6 p.m. Resource Fair
Talk to subject matter experts about programs and services for Veterans, including VA Whole Health, VA benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and much, much more!
Washington County – July 15
Elks Lodge #776
135 East Maiden Street
Washington, PA 15301
Westmoreland County – July 23
Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department
104 South 2nd Street
Youngwood, PA 15697
Belmont County – July 25
Ohio Valley Mall
Community Room
67800 Mall Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Fayette County – July 31
Morrell Volunteer Fire Department
1232 University Drive
Dunbar, PA 15431

Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Support Group
2024-07-16 17:00 - 18:00
Are you grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide?
Survivors of Suicide Bereavement Support Group
Held the THIRD Tuesday of the month
5:00PM-6:00PM
Mercer Area Library
110 E Venango St, Mercer, PA 16137
Must be at least 18 years old to attend
Facilitators are peers who have been trained to help those with a loss by suicide and want to help others cope with the loss of loved ones.
For more information contact Anna @ Mercer County Behavioral Health 724-662-1550 EXT. 190

QPR + CALM Training
2024-07-17 13:00 - 15:00
QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.
This date also offers a 1-hour Counseling on Access to Lethal Means Training (CALM) directly after the QPR sessions. You can opt-in to one or both trainings.
Pennsylvania suicide rates, especially in rural counties, are higher than the national average. QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is an individual who can recognize a crisis and the warning signs of someone possibly contemplating suicide. Anyone can become a gatekeeper: parents. friends, neighbors, teachers, athletic coaches, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, etc. Gatekeepers come from all walks of life and do not require any prior training or education.
You can access the registration online. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!

July Caregiver Support Program
2024-07-17 19:00 - 20:00
Join the Caregiver Support Program this July
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is excited to continue virtual events for caregivers of Veterans. Check out July’s schedule below.

Roles in Relationships
Join July’s VA Caregiver Support Line (CSL) Monthly Educational Calls for Dual Caregivers: Surviving and Conquering the Challenges. Caregivers doing the brave work of caring for a Veteran and a child will benefit from these sessions. Caring for both Veterans and children requires special attention and support. Calls will be held on the following dates and times:

Wednesday, July 17 at 7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, July 23 at 3 p.m. ET

To listen to the CSL monthly education calls, dial +1 347-566-4838 Conference ID: 521 546 087#. Caregivers who are unable to listen to the calls can access presentations on the CSL webpage.
Reach Out to Your Caregiver Support Team!
Every VA facility has a Caregiver Support Team (CST). CST’s provide support and service referrals, and valuable information about resources to help you stay informed and supported as you care for your Veteran. Contact your local CST to learn about more events happening in your area.
Sincerely,
Your Caregiver Support Team

Considering Alternatives to Prohibiting Psychedelic Drugs
2024-07-18 16:00 - 17:00
The RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute and the RAND Drug Policy Research Center Invite You to Attend

Considering Alternatives to Prohibiting Psychedelic Drugs

Thursday, July 18, 2024
4 to 5 p.m. EDT /
1 to 2 p.m. PDT

Zoom Webinar
Please register in advance

Register now »

About the Program

Psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA (ecstasy), have long been touted as holding promise for treating various mental health conditions. Some Indigenous groups have used some of these substances as spiritual medicines in traditional healing and ceremonies for millennia. Over the past decade, an increasing number of military veterans have pushed for more access to some of these substances. Clinical studies, including research conducted at (and that will soon be funded by) the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, are growing.
At the same time, some states and local governments are loosening their approaches to some psychedelics. In fact, some states are implementing or considering approaches that legalize some forms of supply to adults for any reason. It seems likely that more jurisdictions will consider and implement alternative policies to prohibiting the nonclinical supply of some psychedelics, possibly including retail sales. This means that these products will made more available to the U.S. population, including veterans. But how widely available will the drugs be? Under what conditions will they be accessed? And how will these changes affect Indigenous communities? Answers to these and other policy-related questions remain to be seen.
Our panel of experts will present new data about the use of psychedelics in the United States from a newly released RAND Report Considering Alternatives to Psychedelic Drug Prohibition. They will highlight the changing policy landscape at the state and local levels and consider the pros and cons of potential policy frameworks. There will be a special focus on what these changes mean for veterans and Indigenous Peoples.
This webinar is part of a series of events organized by the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute to explore pressing policy challenges affecting veterans, their families, and their communities. It is cohosted with the RAND Drug Policy Research Center which conducts research to help decisionmakers in the United States and abroad address issues involving alcohol and other drugs.

Moderator

Michelle Priest (she/her) is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a Ph.D. candidate at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. She holds B.A.s in economics and linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles, as well as an M.Phil. in policy analysis from Pardee RAND Graduate School. Her research focuses on policymaking for emerging industries, including ethics in technology development, equity issues in the regulation of cannabis, and public safety related to psychedelic substances. She is a coauthor of RAND’s new report, Considering Alternatives to Psychedelic Drug Prohibition.

Featured Speakers

Beau Kilmer (he/him) is codirector of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center and a senior policy researcher at RAND. He conducts research at the intersection of public health and public safety, with an emphasis on crime control, substance use, illegal markets, and public policy. His recent projects have explored the consequences of cannabis legalization (with a special focus on social equity); the future of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids; the effect of 24/7 Sobriety programs on DUI, domestic violence, and mortality; and the implications of legalizing psychedelics. Kilmer is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Public Health Consequences of Changes in the Cannabis Policy Landscape. In 2023, he was elected as vice president of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy. He has a Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University.

Jesse Gould is a former Army Ranger and a pioneer in psychedelic therapies for veterans. As founder and president of the Heroic Hearts Project, he has spearheaded the research and acceptance of ayahuasca, ibogaine, ketamine, and psilocybin therapy programs for military veterans. Gould has connected hundreds of veterans to psychedelic treatments, partnered with the world’s leading psychedelic centers, and is researching psychiatric applications with the University of Georgia, the University of Texas, Austin Dell Medical School, and Imperial College of London. His mission is to help military veterans struggling with mental trauma and spread awareness of the benefits that psychedelic therapies offer as an alternative treatment to pharmaceuticals. Gould has spoken globally about the benefits of psychedelics on mental health and has been featured in the New York Times, the New Yorker, the Economist, and Forbes. He is recognized as one of the most influential voices in psychedelics today. To date, the Heroic Hearts Project has raised over $10 million dollars and has served over 1,500 veterans and military spouses through psychedelic therapies.

Rajeev Ramchand (he/him) is codirector of the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND, and a professor of policy analysis at Pardee RAND Graduate School. He studies the prevalence, prevention, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders in adolescents, service members and veterans, and minority populations. He has conducted research on suicide and suicide prevention including environmental scans of suicide prevention programs, epidemiologic studies on risk factors for suicide, qualitative research with suicide loss survivors, systematic reviews of the role of firearm availability, storage, and policies on suicide, and evaluations of suicide prevention programs. He has also developed freely available tools to help organizations to evaluate their own suicide prevention programs. In 2022, he was appointed by the Secretary of Defense to serve as a member of the Department of Defense Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee. He has testified on suicide prevention before the United States Senate and House of Representatives.

Additional speakers forthcoming.

Register for This Program

Please register to attend. This event is open to the public and advance registration is required. Those who register will receive Zoom connection details via email. For more details, please visit the event page.

July Caregiver Support Program
2024-07-23 15:00 - 16:00
Join the Caregiver Support Program this July
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) is excited to continue virtual events for caregivers of Veterans. Check out July’s schedule below.

Roles in Relationships
Join July’s VA Caregiver Support Line (CSL) Monthly Educational Calls for Dual Caregivers: Surviving and Conquering the Challenges. Caregivers doing the brave work of caring for a Veteran and a child will benefit from these sessions. Caring for both Veterans and children requires special attention and support. Calls will be held on the following dates and times:

Wednesday, July 23 at 3 p.m. ET

To listen to the CSL monthly education calls, dial +1 347-566-4838 Conference ID: 521 546 087#. Caregivers who are unable to listen to the calls can access presentations on the CSL webpage.
Reach Out to Your Caregiver Support Team!
Every VA facility has a Caregiver Support Team (CST). CST’s provide support and service referrals, and valuable information about resources to help you stay informed and supported as you care for your Veteran. Contact your local CST to learn about more events happening in your area.
Sincerely,
Your Caregiver Support Team

VAPHS Veterans Town Halls on the Move and Resource Fairs
2024-07-23 15:00 - 18:00
VAPHS Veterans Town Halls on the Move and Resource Fairs
3 p.m. Town Hall
Get important updates and hear from VAPHS and VBA leadership and other VA representatives. Our town halls are part of our ongoing effort to use your feedback to improve VA care.
4-6 p.m. Resource Fair
Talk to subject matter experts about programs and services for Veterans, including VA Whole Health, VA benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and much, much more!
Westmoreland County – July 23
Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department
104 South 2nd Street
Youngwood, PA 15697
Belmont County – July 25
Ohio Valley Mall
Community Room
67800 Mall Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Fayette County – July 31
Morrell Volunteer Fire Department
1232 University Drive
Dunbar, PA 15431

QPR Training
2024-07-29 14:00 - 16:00
QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.
Pennsylvania suicide rates, especially in rural counties, are higher than the national average. QPR is a two-hour educational program designed to teach professionals as well as lay “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. A gatekeeper is an individual who can recognize a crisis and the warning signs of someone possibly contemplating suicide. Anyone can become a gatekeeper: parents. friends, neighbors, teachers, athletic coaches, ministers, doctors, nurses, office supervisors, squad leaders, foremen, police officers, advisors, caseworkers, firefighters, etc. Gatekeepers come from all walks of life and do not require any prior training or education.
You can access the registration online. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!
QPR Training Sessions
• Monday, July 29, 2024, 2:00-4:00 PM
•Tuesday , August 6 , 2024, 9:00-11:00 AM
• Friday, August 23, 2024, 2:00-4:00 PM
• Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 11 :00 AM-1:00 PM
• Monday, September 16, 2024, 12:00-2:00 PM

VAPHS Veterans Town Halls on the Move and Resource Fairs
2024-07-31 15:00 - 18:00
3 p.m. Town Hall
Get important updates and hear from VAPHS and VBA leadership and other VA representatives. Our town halls are part of our ongoing effort to use your feedback to improve VA care.
4-6 p.m. Resource Fair
Talk to subject matter experts about programs and services for Veterans, including VA Whole Health, VA benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and much, much more!
Fayette County – July 31
Morrell Volunteer Fire Department
1232 University Drive
Dunbar, PA 15431
