The Resilient Veteran

QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
2022-08-31 08:00 - 10:00, 2022-09-15 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-10-06 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-11-17 09:00 - 11:00, 2022-12-15 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
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.
Click on the image to download or print the flyer and access the registration QR code. You can also access the registration form directly. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!

Reach Out: You Are Not Alone Symposium
2022-09-08 13:00 - 14:30
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Outreach, Transition and Economic Development (OTED)
Welcomes you to Join the
Virtual Veteran Suicide Prevention Symposium: Reach out, You Are Not Alone
September 8 1:00 – 2:30pm EDT
Select the Link to Join:
https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/veteransaffairs/ j.php?MTID=mdbd132dc80ebf2b387e595e3045b983b
Join by Phone: 1-404-397-1596
Webinar Password: [REDACTED] (96763978 from phones)
Access Code: 276 177 23283

Mindfulness Meditation Class for Veterans
2022-09-09 11:00 - 12:00, 2022-10-14 11:00 - 12:00
Join VA’s free, phone-based class called “Mindfulness Meditation.” Designed for Veterans of all eras, this class will help you manage the challenges and stressors of everyday life. Each class covers a topic related to mindfulness, followed by a guided meditation practice. Classes are available from 11a.m. to noon ET on these upcoming days: July 8, August 12, September 9, and October 14. Join any or all classes.

Breaking Bread With Heroes
2022-09-17 12:00 - 14:00
Join us to raise awareness for suicide prevention and enjoy a meal from a menu designed by celebrity chef Robert Irvine!
A pdf of the flyer is available to download or print.
Date, Time, and Location:
Sat, September 17, 2022
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT
Fort LeBoeuf American Legion Post 285
120 West 4th Street
Waterford, PA 16441
Register online to reserve your seat! You can also email Patti Tanner at pag109@pitt.edu to register or receive additional information.

TAPS: Choosing Wellness Webinar
2022-09-20 12:00 - 13:00
This session will present the evidence on how we can navigate difficulty and still flourish as human beings and become the CEO of our own lives. Eileen O’Grady, a nurse practitioner and wellness expert, will present ideas on how to practice self-leadership, form habits that serve us, and practice extreme self-care, no matter your circumstances. Register online.
This webinar is presented by the TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing®.
Presenter

Eileen O’Grady, PhD, RN, NP, PCC
Dr. O’Grady is a certified nurse practitioner and wellness coach, is founder of The School of Wellness, a group of practitioners dedicated to inspiring and providing practical tools to organizations and individuals to enable them to choose, practice and promote wellbeing. Dr. O’Grady has worked (virtually) across the United States in dozens of organizations leading discussions on wellbeing and resilience. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health (George Washington University), a Master’s degree in Nursing and a PhD in Nursing (George Mason University). She is an author and editor of two textbooks, Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach (7th ed., 2022) and Intentional Therapeutic Relationships: Advancing Caring in Health Care a how-to book on placing relationships at the center of health care (DesTEch, 2022). Her most recent book, Choosing Wellness: Unconventional Wisdom for the Overwhelmed, the Discouraged, the Addicted, the Fearful or the Stuck, (2021) is her most personal.

Program Details
This webinar is free and open to the public. Continuing education credit is not available.

About the TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing®
The TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing® is positioned to be the national and worldwide leader in training and education for bereavement professionals, bereaved individuals, and grieving military and civilian families.
Through an alliance with the Hospice Foundation of America, the foremost leader in professional grief and loss education, the Institute will serve as a resource and training center, providing a hub for high-quality collaboration between professionals working in the field of grief and loss.
The Institute is where practical information on coping with loss will be accessible for all who seek current strategies, the most effective tools, and best practices for supporting those who are grieving and those who serve the grieving.
TAPS has teamed with the Hospice Foundation of America to educate caregivers, mental health professionals, clergy, funeral directors, casualty officers, the bereaved themselves, and so many others on the best ways to travel the grief journey. Together at the Institute, the two organizations will provide workshops, seminars, panel discussions, and more to train professionals and help individuals and families thrive after loss.
TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing® is located at TAPS Headquarters, 3033 Wilson Blvd., Third Floor, Arlington, VA 22201
Email us at Institute@taps.org or give us a call at 800-959-8277 (TAPS) with any questions.

Out of the Darkness Elk County Walk
2022-09-25 13:30 - 17:00
The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.
Walk Date: 09/25/2022
Walk Location: Downtown Event Park on Depot Street, St. Mary’s
Walk Start Time: 1:30 pm
For more information, please contact:
Contact Name: Jesse Putkoski
Contact Phone: 412-510-9514
Contact Email: jputkoski@afsp.org
If you’re looking for support and/or resources, please visit www.afsp.org/get-help and www.afsp.org/resources.
Register!
Returning participant? Thank you for being a Walk Alumni! When you click the register button be sure to click the blue Login link under “Been Here Before?”
Having trouble registering? Click here to view a step-by-step guide. See FAQs below if you have any questions.
If you’ve already registered and would like to either create a new team or join an existing one, log into your account and click on the “change team membership” option on the right hand side of your dashboard tab (on mobile you’ll need to click “dashboard” first). View this video tutorial for more help.

QPR + CALM Training
2022-10-17 13:00 - 16:00, 2022-10-26 10:00 - 13:30, 2022-10-31 12:00 - 15:30, 2022-11-07 09:00 - 12:30, 2022-12-09 09:00 - 12:30, 2022-12-19 12:00 - 15:30, 2023-01-25 11:00 - 14:00
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 or print the flyer and access the registration QR code. You can also access the registration form directly. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!

DMVA to Host Virtual Town Hall Honoring Veterans
2022-11-02 18:00 - 19:30
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) will host the fifth and final virtual Veteran Town Hall of the year on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, from 6-7:30 p.m. The town hall will focus on honoring Veterans for their service and sacrifice.
Please join Brig. Gen. (PA) Maureen Weigl, DMVA deputy adjutant general for Veterans Affairs; Kory Auch, Governor’s Office of Administration special advisor for Veteran Programs; Bridget Slagan, Camp Freedom development coordinator; and Debbie Goral, VA Veteran Community Partnership.
Attendees can participate by using this Microsoft Teams Link. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters live during the program through the chat feature.
“As Veterans Day approaches, it is only appropriate that our final town hall of the year honors Pennsylvania’s more than 700,000 veterans for all they have done to protect our nation and preserve our freedom,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “It will be a pleasure to express our admiration for veterans and their families, while overviewing the various community organizations that honor veterans with free programs and services.”
The 2022 town hall series has provided the commonwealth’s veterans with a convenient platform to learn and ask questions about programs and services earned through their military service.
For anyone who would like to view recordings of the previous 2022 Virtual Veteran Town Hall sessions, please use this link.
To learn more about the DMVA, visit us online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.

Veterans' Discussion at Passavant Community
2022-11-16 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for a Veterans’ discussion at Passavant Community on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from 1 pm – 3 pm.
Enjoy light refreshments and take part in a discussion about the impact of moral injury on Veterans. Sponsored by Lutheran Senior Life, Aspire Wellness, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU).
Featuring Marine Corps Veteran Lee Wagner. Topics include creating awareness on Veterans’ issues highlighting supportive environments to encourage social connectedness.
Please RSVP by Friday, November 9th by calling 724-452-3456 or email Brian.Damaska@lutheranseniorlife.org.

QPR Training
2022-12-07 19:00 - 20:00
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 session will be held in-person at:
Ft. LeBeouf American Legion Post 285
120 W. 4th Street, Waterford, PA
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 or print the flyer and access registration information. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!

How States and Communities Can Better Support Military and Veteran Caregivers
2022-12-13 14:00 - 15:30
Date: Three-part series: December 13, 2022; January 12, 2023; February 9, 2023Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Register Online

Session 1 – The Future of Caregiving: A Path for the Way Forward

Part 1: Tuesday, December 13, 2022, 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET

Learning Objectives

Describe what we know about the caregiver population, which includes not only spouses but also children, grandparents, siblings, neighbors, and friends
Review the recently released National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
Examine the latest research and national trends on military and Veteran caregivers

Presenter

Roxana Delgado, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UT Health San Antonio; Research Advisor to the Campaign for Inclusive Care, Dole Caregiver Fellow Alumna, Elizabeth Dole Foundation

With over 5.5 million military and Veteran caregivers in the United States, the implementation of the newly released National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers is a critical step forward for those caring for our Nation’s wounded, ill, and injured service members and Veterans. Caregivers consistently experience worse health outcomes, greater challenges in family relationships, and increased difficulties in the workplace than non-caregivers. Military and Veteran caregivers are unique in that they tend to be younger and serve in caregiver roles longer than their civilian counterparts.

This learning community will provide participants an opportunity to learn in a small group and interactive setting. The objectives of this learning community are to (1) Discover a framework for supporting military and Veteran caregivers, (2) Examine how both paid and informal caregivers can be recognized and valued in the continuum of care, and (3) Identify resources available that are specifically tailored for military and Veteran caregivers.

The learning community will meet monthly for three sessions beginning in December 2022 via Zoom. Each session will feature an expert presentation with engaging group discussion incorporated throughout.

Mindfulness Meditation Classes for Veterans
2023-01-06 11:00 - 12:00
Join VA’s free, phone-based class called “Mindfulness Meditation.” Designed for Veterans of all eras, this class will help you manage the challenges and stressors of everyday life. Each class covers a topic related to mindfulness, followed by a guided meditation practice. Classes are available from 11a.m. to noon ET on these upcoming days: January 6 and February 3. Join any or all classes.

107th Pennsylvania Farm Show
2023-01-12 08:00 - 17:00
Join us at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show for Military Veterans & Families Day on Thursday, January 12th.

Thursday at PA Farm Show is dedicated to honoring U.S. military Veterans and their families for their service to our country. The wildly popular Army-Navy Cookoff anchors the day, starring military chefs battling it out for culinary supremacy on the PA Preferred® Culinary Connection stage at 1:00 p.m. Chefs from all service branches plus farmer-Veterans are featured all day!
View the entire program description online. Hope to see you there!

How States and Communities Can Better Support Military and Veteran Caregivers
2023-01-12 14:00 - 15:30
Date: Three-part series: December 13, 2022; January 12, 2023; February 9, 2023Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Register Online

Session 2 – Identifying and Engaging Military and Veteran Caregivers

Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET

Learning Objectives

Describe the challenges of self-identification
Discover strategies for better outreach and engagement
Identify opportunities to empower the caregiver voice

Presenter

Melissa Comeau, M.S., Director, Military Veteran Caregiver Network, American Red Cross

With over 5.5 million military and Veteran caregivers in the United States, the implementation of the newly released National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers is a critical step forward for those caring for our Nation’s wounded, ill, and injured service members and Veterans. Caregivers consistently experience worse health outcomes, greater challenges in family relationships, and increased difficulties in the workplace than non-caregivers. Military and Veteran caregivers are unique in that they tend to be younger and serve in caregiver roles longer than their civilian counterparts.

This learning community will provide participants an opportunity to learn in a small group and interactive setting. The objectives of this learning community are to (1) Discover a framework for supporting military and Veteran caregivers, (2) Examine how both paid and informal caregivers can be recognized and valued in the continuum of care, and (3) Identify resources available that are specifically tailored for military and Veteran caregivers.

The learning community will meet monthly for three sessions beginning in December 2022 via Zoom. Each session will feature an expert presentation with engaging group discussion incorporated throughout.

Erie VA Medical Center Hybrid Veteran Town Hall
2023-01-12 15:00 - 16:00
Erie VA Medical Center To Host Hybrid Veteran Town Hall
Date: Jan. 12, 2023, 3-4 p.m.
Location: Erie VAMC, 135 East 38th St., 2nd Floor, Conference Rooms 2A-2C, Erie, PA (Erie County)
Who should attend: Veterans, caregivers and family members are invited to attend this town hall, being held in person and virtually.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet with Erie VAMC Director John A. Gennaro and the executive leadership team. Anyone who cannot attend in person can participate via phone, at 872-701-0185, using conference ID number 659 103 406#.

Equine Event for Veterans and Their Families
2023-01-28 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a fun morning of FREE activities for the whole family!

Horsemanship & Groundwork Emotions & Body Language
Snowshoeing & Archery
Free Childcare (on-site)
Physical Health & Riding
Wellness Resources
Butler VA is offering FREE (limited) transportation to/from this event.

JANUARY 28, 2023 · TWO SESSIONS! 10AM-12PM and 1-3PM
Storm Harbor Equestrian Center
245 Harmony Rd, Slippery Rock, PA 16057
(weather dependent)
ALL AGES AND ABILITIES ARE WELCOME!
Children aged >5 yrs. may participate in activities. Storm Harbor has adaptive equipment for riders who need accommodations; riding is not required to participate.
Questions? Need a ride to the event? Contact Patti at pag109@pitt.edu or 878-208-8186
Register online to let us know you’re attending! A pdf of the event flyer is available to download and share.

QPR Training
2023-02-03 10:00 - 12:00
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.
Click on the image to download or print the flyer and access the registration QR code. Please contact us if you experience challenges with registration.
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming training session!

Mindfulness Meditation Classes for Veterans
2023-02-03 11:00 - 12:00
Join VA’s free, phone-based class called “Mindfulness Meditation.” Designed for Veterans of all eras, this class will help you manage the challenges and stressors of everyday life. Each class covers a topic related to mindfulness, followed by a guided meditation practice. Classes are available from 11a.m. to noon ET.

How States and Communities Can Better Support Military and Veteran Caregivers
2023-02-09 14:00 - 15:30
Three-part Series: December 13, 2022; January 12, 2023; February 9, 2023Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Register Online
Part 3: February 9, 2023

Session 3 – Strengthening Community Supports and Promoting Financial Wellness for Military and Veteran Caregivers

Thursday, February 9, 2023, 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET

Learning Objectives

Illustrate how states and communities can come together to support military and Veteran caregivers
Highlight the challenges caregivers face related to financial wellness and the resources available to help

Presenter

Shawn Moore, L.M.S.W., Founder, Executive Director, Caregivers on the Homefront; Program Manager, Financial Wellness, Elizabeth Dole Foundation

With over 5.5 million military and Veteran caregivers in the United States, the implementation of the newly released National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers is a critical step forward for those caring for our Nation’s wounded, ill, and injured service members and Veterans. Caregivers consistently experience worse health outcomes, greater challenges in family relationships, and increased difficulties in the workplace than non-caregivers. Military and Veteran caregivers are unique in that they tend to be younger and serve in caregiver roles longer than their civilian counterparts.

This learning community will provide participants an opportunity to learn in a small group and interactive setting. The objectives of this learning community are to (1) Discover a framework for supporting military and Veteran caregivers, (2) Examine how both paid and informal caregivers can be recognized and valued in the continuum of care, and (3) Identify resources available that are specifically tailored for military and Veteran caregivers.

The learning community will meet monthly for three sessions beginning in December 2022 via Zoom. Each session will feature an expert presentation with engaging group discussion incorporated throughout.
