The Resilient Veteran

S.A.V.E. Training
2023-05-26 12:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York)
Support Our VeteransTake a S.A.V.E. suicide prevention training to learn how you can support a Veteran in a crisis.
WHAT IS VA S.A.V.E. TRAINING?The acronym S.A.V.E. helps you remember theimportant steps involved in suicide prevention:S: Signs of suicidal thinking should be recognizedA: Ask the most important question of all — “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”V: Validate the Veteran’s experienceE: Encourage treatment and Expedite getting help
Open to Veterans, staff and support personnelMay 26, 12 noonBeaver Valley Intermediate Unit, 147Poplar Avenue Monaca,PA 15061
Email: nicole.gallagher@va.gov to register

Setting Boundaries for Healthy Relationships and Caregiver Self-Care
2023-05-25 19:00 - 20:30
Airing Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm ET
Register Now
Healthy boundaries are essential for any caregiver supporting a loved one living with depression. Boundaries provide structure in relationships and ensure that everyone involved is respected and gets their needs met. By setting clear limits, you can prioritize your wellness while continuing to be a support for your loved one.
Taking the time to nurture yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically can help you remain strong despite the demands of caregiving and avoid caregiver burnout. Learn how to develop and affirm your boundaries to promote your own wellness and strengthen your relationship with your loved one.
Join Families for Depression Awareness on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM ET to hear from Jenny Woodworth, LISW, to learn how to define boundaries as they relate to familial relationships. You’ll learn why boundaries are necessary when supporting a loved one with a mood disorder and how to apply boundaries as a form of self-care.
This program is supported by:
Takeda Lundbeck Alliance
Sage Therapeutics
GeneSight
Alkermes
Janssen Neuroscience
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program

All Veterans Empowerment Workshop
2023-05-25 18:30 - 20:30
All Veterans Empowerment Workshop
May 25, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EDT
Register online for Zoom link.

About the event

All Veterans. Any and all veterans are welcome regardless of discharge status or time in service.
Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T
Here at WVE&T we facilitate workshops to practice skills of Empowerment
~Schedule time for yourself without apologizes
~Practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally
~Learn to empower yourself from within
~Practice observing without judgment
Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU!
Previous artistic experience not necessary

Women Veterans Empowerment Workshop
2023-05-21 13:00 - 15:00
Women Veterans Empowerment Workshop

May 21, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT
Register online for the Zoom link.
About the event

Women Veterans. Any and all women veteran welcome regardless of discharge status or time in service.
Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T
Here at WVE&T we facilitate workshops to practice skills of Empowerment
~Schedule time for yourself without apologizes
~Practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally
~Learn to empower yourself from within
~Practice observing without judgment
Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU!
Previous artistic experience not necessary

The focus of this workshop is on Cis Gendered Women Veterans only. All other veterans are welcome to join us in our All Veterans Empowerment Workshops.

Fourth Annual Caregiver and Family Resource Fair
2023-05-18 10:30 - 13:00
VAPHS Fourth Annual Caregiver and Family Resource Fair

When: Thu. May 18, 2023, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm ET

Where:

H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Cost: Free

Stop by to learn about various caregiver resources, meet with community partners, talk with fellow caregivers, enter to win caregivers’ gift baskets, and relax with music and recreation therapy. Check in at the table outside Building 71 and then walk or roll to the outdoor Mason’s Pavilion. If it rains, check-in and events will move to the Learning Exchange inside Building 71.
Participating partners include:
• Vet Centers
• American Red Cross: Military and Veteran Caregiver Network
• Alzheimer’s Association
• STAT Equine Inc.
• Veterans Benefits Administration
• Veterans Leadership Program
• And more!
Have questions or want to register now? Call 412-822-2364.

Mental Health: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges
2023-05-16 13:00 - 14:00
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in mental health challenges affecting people of all ages. This has made it more important than ever to increase mental health literacy and decrease the stigma surrounding treatment. During this workshop, you will learn to identify signs that someone is experiencing a mental health challenge, then gain confidence to offer them help.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
(UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Learn more and register online.

Addressing the Rising Mental Health Needs of an Aging Population
2023-05-15 08:00 - 2023-05-16 17:00
On May 15-16, a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine planning committee will organize and host a public workshop to explore the current state of mental health care for older adults in the United States and potential strategies to address the mental health needs and challenges of our aging population.
Invited presentations and discussions will be designed to:

Discuss the incidence and prevalence of mental health and substance use conditions among older adults as well as the range and availability of services to address those needs.
Explore strategies to improve the quality, capacity, equity, and access of community-based and institutional mental health services for older adults.
Consider ways to build and sustain comprehensive programs to support the well-being of older adults with mental health conditions (e.g., dementia).
Explore current and new approaches to help older people with mental health disorders to live where they prefer in the community and to support their family caregivers.
Review knowledge gaps that impede progress in identifying and providing appropriate care for individuals with mental health and substance use conditions, which could be addressed through new research

Learn more and register online.

All Veterans Empowerment Workshop
2023-05-11 18:30 - 20:30
All Veterans Empowerment Workshop
May 11, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EDT
Register online for Zoom link.

About the event

All Veterans. Any and all veterans are welcome regardless of discharge status or time in service.
Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T
Here at WVE&T we facilitate workshops to practice skills of Empowerment
~Schedule time for yourself without apologizes
~Practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally
~Learn to empower yourself from within
~Practice observing without judgment
Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU!
Previous artistic experience not necessary

Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium
2023-05-11 10:00 - 17:00
The National Council on Aging is proud to host the 6th annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium. This event is co-sponsored with the U.S. Administration for Community Living, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Registration is free and includes a full day of sessions on how to best meet the mental health needs of older adults. In partnership with Rush University’s E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging, NCOA anticipates offering free continuing education credit for several professions. Please visit the registration page for more information.
Be sure to join us starting at 10:00 am EST on May 11, 2023, for the welcome and keynote speaker, Montel Williams.

Fayette County, PA Bi-Weekly Veterans Events
2023-05-09 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-04-25 18:00 - 19:00
RISE Veterans is partnering with the East End United Community Center in Uniontown, PA for a series of events for Veterans in the community! The sessions are open to anyone and they run from through 6/21. Registration is encouraged. No cost to attend.

150 Coolspring Street
Uniontown, PA
6 pm – 7 pm

Delivering Hope Through Building Connections
2023-05-02 08:30 - 15:30
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
8:30 am – 3:30 pm EST
Location:
Soldiers & Sailors, Third Floor Ballroom
4141 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
Presented By:
Melissa Jenkins-Fernández, Psy.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist & USAF Veteran
Catherine Markosky, CEO & Founder, STAT, Inc.
Emily Benjamin, MS, Residential Addiction Counselor, St. Joseph Institute
Making personal connections is key to good mental health. Summit BHC Tactical Recovery Team, Mountain Laurel Recovery Center, and St. Joseph Institute for Addiction are teaming up to bring together Mental Health Professionals who serve our military, Veteran and First Responder Communities for this all-day seminar.

Women Veterans Empowerment Workshop
2023-04-30 13:00 - 15:00
Women Veterans Empowerment Workshop

Apr 30, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT
Register online for the Zoom link.
About the event

Women Veterans. Any and all women veteran welcome regardless of discharge status or time in service.
Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T
Here at WVE&T we facilitate workshops to practice skills of Empowerment
~Schedule time for yourself without apologizes
~Practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally
~Learn to empower yourself from within
~Practice observing without judgment
Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU!
Previous artistic experience not necessary

The focus of this workshop is on Cis Gendered Women Veterans only. All other veterans are welcome to join us in our All Veterans Empowerment Workshops.

Cooking For Your Mind: Nutrition & Mental Health for Women Veterans
2023-04-29 10:00 - 13:00
Join Adagio Health in collaboration with Northwest Pennsylvania Veteran Suicide Prevention Program for Cooking For Your Mind: Nutrition & Mental Health for Women Veterans. Hear from registered dietitians and a licensed therapist about ways to support mental health and overall well-being, including cooking demonstrations with recipes and take-home bags of fresh food.
Cooking For Your Mind:Nutrition & Mental Health for Women VeteransApril 29th, 202310AM – 1PMAdagio HealthNew Castle200 South Jefferson StreetNew Castle, PA 16101Lunch and child care will be provided.
Register online!

Building a Bridge to Veterans: Trust Centered Programs, Mental Health & Moral Injury
2023-04-26 12:00 - 14:00
Building a Bridge to Veterans: Trust Centered Programs, Mental Health & Moral Injury
Wednesday April 26th, 2023
12:00-2:00PM EST
(11am CST • 10am MT • 9am PST)
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Presented By:
Alia Schenck MA, MSW, LCSW-A
Description:
A look at service delivery, important principles of relational building and cultural awareness for Veterans and family members. This class wIll seek to discuss supporting veterans that have unique challenges including Traumatic Brain Injuries IBIs), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), Moral Injury, and combat post-traumatic stress. Finally, we will discuss lessons learned from establishing rapport with trust-centered programs and conducting self-assessment among providers.
Register online.

Crisis in a Post-Pandemic World: Back to Basics
2023-04-26 - 2023-04-27
Over the past few years, we have all witnessed significant changes in our health, economy, politics, social justice and challenges just getting through our daily lives. Crisis services have increasingly been asked to respond to a myriad of new challenges in how individuals relate to themselves and others. Communities are being wracked by violent events and it seems that traumatic situations are occurring in the news daily. Trauma contributes to responses such as isolation, anxiety, and substance abuse.
As a result of these traumas, crisis workers, first responders, law enforcement and service-related providers are charged with returning those exposed to trauma back to a new normal, this often takes a great toll on those responding.
Objectives• Address special areas of interest: trauma informed care, traumatic events, community safety and crisis skill building;• Identify crisis intervention strategies for working with specific populations;• Discuss methods and techniques that crisis workers can use in assessing and responding to crisis situations;• Develop an understanding of the frustrations of those struggling to overcome the effects of mental health stigma.
The Crisis Intervention Association of PennsylvaniaSeven Springs Mountain ResortChampion, PAApril 26–27, 2023
Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/230436336624049

All Veterans Empowerment Workshop
2023-04-20 18:30 - 20:30
All Veterans Empowerment Workshop
April 20, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Register online for Zoom link.

About the event

All Veterans. Any and all veterans are welcome regardless of discharge status or time in service.
Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T
Here at WVE&T we facilitate workshops to practice skills of Empowerment
~Schedule time for yourself without apologizes
~Practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally
~Learn to empower yourself from within
~Practice observing without judgment
Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU!
Previous artistic experience not necessary

Improving Access to High-Quality Mental Health Care for Veterans
2023-04-20 08:00 - 2023-04-21 17:00
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will hold a 1.5 day hybrid (virtual and in-person) public workshop on Improving Access to High-Quality Mental Health Care for Veterans on April 21 and April 22, 2023 to explore the current landscape for mental health care services in the United States, including the use of telehealth services. The workshop will consider ways to improve veterans’ timely access to high-quality care for mental health conditions. In particular, the workshop will consider internal and external best practices for three critical needs for mental health access (known as tripartite access in the VA): urgent/crisis access, engagement access, and sustained access.
Learn more and register online.

Military Sexual Trauma Workshop at Slippery Rock University
2023-04-18 12:30 - 13:30
Slippery Rock University, in conjunction with the SRU Veteran’s Center and the Women’s Center, will host an open to the public workshop on sexual violence in the military on Tuesday, April 18 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.
In-person attendees will meet at the Smith Student Center, Room 319, 107 W Central Loop, Slippery Rock, PA. A zoom link is available for those attending virtually: https://sru.zoom.us/meeting/93593768552

Women Veterans Empowerment Workshop
2023-04-16 13:00 - 15:00
Women Veterans Empowerment Workshop
April 16, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Register online for the Zoom link.
About the event

Women Veterans. Any and all women veteran welcome regardless of discharge status or time in service.
Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T
Here at WVE&T we facilitate workshops to practice skills of Empowerment
~Schedule time for yourself without apologizes
~Practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally
~Learn to empower yourself from within
~Practice observing without judgment
Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU!
Previous artistic experience not necessary
The focus of this workshop is on Cis Gendered Women Veterans only. All other veterans are welcome to join us in our All Veterans Empowerment Workshops.

Spring Gardening Class in Erie, PA
2023-04-15 15:00 - 16:00
Join us on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Blasco Library, Admiral Room for a spring gardening class designed to promote health and wellness.
Learn how to plan & start a garden in our Erie County climate to provide healthy food to supplement your grocery budget. Military veterans and the general public are invited. Hosted by Penn State Extension Master Gardeners and the NW PA Veteran Suicide Prevention Program. There will be dirt!
Registration Required
Location: 160 East Front Street, Erie, PA

Working With Military Families & Their Unique Behavioral Health Needs
2023-04-13 09:00 - 11:00
This presentation will identify the unique behavioral health needs for military families. It will also provide techniques and interventions for the most effective ways to work with military families and how to support building resiliency.
Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT – Online
Register online

Support Members of Veterans Empowerment Workshop
2023-04-11 19:00 - 21:00
Support Members of Veterans Empowerment Workshop

April 11, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Register online for the Zoom link.
About the event

Support members of veterans! The focus of this workshop is on civilians that support a veteran/reserves/active duty/national guard this workshop is for you! Includes spouses, siblings, caretakers, give it a try
Everyone has a story. Triumphs and Struggles of every day life.
Join us to tell your story, be embraced by a community of people practicing empowerment, self care and kindness to themselves and others. Fill your own container before you give to others. We are here.
When the mind suffers or struggles the body does too. Release what no longer serves you and empower your experiences.
Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T
Here at WVE&T we facilitate workshops to practice skills of Empowerment
~Schedule time for yourself without apologizes
~Practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally
~Learn to empower yourself from within
~Practice observing without judgment
Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU!
Previous artistic experience not necessary

All Veterans Empowerment Workshop
2023-04-06 18:30 - 20:30
All Veterans Empowerment Workshop
April 6, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Register online for Zoom link.

About the event

All Veterans. Any and all veterans are welcome regardless of discharge status or time in service.
Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T
Here at WVE&T we facilitate workshops to practice skills of Empowerment
~Schedule time for yourself without apologizes
~Practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally
~Learn to empower yourself from within
~Practice observing without judgment
Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU!
Previous artistic experience not necessary

Pittsburgh-Area Veteran Town Hall on the PACT Act
2023-04-04 17:00 - 20:00
DMVA Announces Pittsburgh-Area Veteran Town Hall Providing Information to Veterans on the PACT Act
Annville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) will hold an in-person Veteran Town Hall on the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act on April 4, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at the West View VFW Post 2754, 386 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15229. The town hall will also be available by phone to increase accessibility for Pennsylvania’s more than 700,000 veterans – the fourth largest veteran population in the nation.
The new federal PACT Act law expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The town hall will provide veterans and their advocates with a convenient platform to learn and ask questions about eligibility and applying for benefits related to the PACT Act.
“The PACT Act has expanded benefits to thousands of veterans throughout Pennsylvania who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “Many veterans don’t know they may be eligible for these additional benefits, so we are making the PACT Act a primary focus this year. Our goal is to raise awareness, answer questions, and connect as many veterans as possible to the benefits they have earned.”
In-person attendees are also invited to arrive early to enjoy a dedicated resource fair from 5-6 p.m.
Featured presenters for this event will be Chip Gilliland, DMVA’s chief of the Division of Reintegration and Outreach; and Jennifer Vandermolen, director of the Pittsburgh VA Regional Office.
In-person town hall attendees are asked to register prior to the event by calling 717-644-3890. Anyone joining the town hall by phone should call 267-332-8737 and enter Conference ID: 989503340# to participate. Both in-person attendees and callers will be able to ask questions during the town hall. Media are permitted to attend.

Motivating Veterans to Engage in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
2023-03-28 12:30 - 14:00
Motivating Veterans to Engage in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Tuesday, March 28th, 2023
9:30AM PST – 10:30AM MT – 12:30PM EST
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Presented By:
Alice Maynor, LCSW
Description:
Veterans are a unique population to treat for substance use and mental illness due to their background in the military. After ears of having strict structure, highly stressful career expectations, and rigorous back to back training, Veterans re-entering the civilian world can be a difficult challenge to overcome for most. Because of this, Veterans struggling with substance use disorder and PTSD often enter treatment extremely guarded and/or resistant to treatment, which can lead to them leaving treatment early. Substance abuse and PTSD are complex issues that require consistent care and commitment to healing for any population, but for Veterans, it’s important to understand the barriers that they face on a daily basis and how to help them overcome them.
Register online.

Women Veterans Empowerment Workshop
2023-03-26 13:00 - 15:00
Women Veterans Empowerment Workshop
March 26, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Register online for the Zoom link.
About the event

Women Veterans. Any and all women veteran welcome regardless of discharge status or time in service.
Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T
Here at WVE&T we facilitate workshops to practice skills of Empowerment
~Schedule time for yourself without apologizes
~Practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally
~Learn to empower yourself from within
~Practice observing without judgment
Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU!
Previous artistic experience not necessary
The focus of this workshop is on Cis Gendered Women Veterans only. All other veterans are welcome to join us in our All Veterans Empowerment Workshops.

Women Veterans Conference
2023-03-24 - 2023-03-26
March is Women Veterans Month
Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of PA is proud to sponsor the Women Veterans ConferenceMarch 24–26, 2023Pittsburgh, PAPittsburgh Marriott North, 100 Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Agenda Includes: Veterans Benefits and how to access proper health care and benefits for women; presentations by several women veterans’ advocacy groups; leadership seminars; a motivational speaker; networking and camaraderie and much more All women veterans in Pennsylvania are welcome to attend. You do not need to be a member of the VFW in order to attend.
Please join us for a weekend of fellowship, camaraderie, and informational workshops by, for, and about women veterans—and the issues that matter and impact them directly. Preregistration is required; please see the VFW Dept. of PA Website for forms and the tentative agenda, or contact Amy MacKenzie (info below).Final Registration 01/31/2023 (or until sold out)www.vfwpa.org (under the “resources” tab)
This event is organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Pennsylvania, with financial contributions from Districts, Posts, Auxiliaries, & Individuals.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of PA Women Veterans ChairpersonAmy MacKenzie717.575.3982 quartermaster@ephratavfw.org

All Veterans Empowerment Workshop
2023-03-23 18:30 - 20:30
All Veterans Empowerment Workshop
March 23, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Register online for Zoom link.

About the event

All Veterans. Any and all veterans are welcome regardless of discharge status or time in service.
Discover the Artistry of Empowerment with WVE&T
Here at WVE&T we facilitate workshops to practice skills of Empowerment
~Schedule time for yourself without apologizes
~Practice speaking, writing and living without taking things personally
~Learn to empower yourself from within
~Practice observing without judgment
Invest in a compassionate, cooperative community of Empowerment for YOU!
Previous artistic experience not necessary

A Case for Substance Use Recovery and Sobriety to Prevent Suicide
2023-03-21 15:00 - 16:00
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
Location: Virtual Presentation
Presented By: Aimee Johnson Schenck, LCSW
Description: For those working in healthcare and behavioral health care settings, the opportunity to offer evidenced based treatments for substance use disorders and suicide is broad. This presentation will provide a basic understanding of the impact substance use and substance use disorders has in the United States, the connection to suicide risk and provide clear resources for individual providers, multidisciplinary teams, and organizations.
