Today is Armed Forces Day and we at MHC would like to give special thanks to all of those who serve and have served our country. As the pandemic continues, service members around the country (and the world) have been deployed to aid in the fight against COVID-19 by distributing PPE, setting up field hospitals, utilizing medical training on the front lines, and continuing to protect our communities when we need them most.
While here in Connecticut, the news outlets are sharing updates on what our National Guard and other forces are doing to help in the fight against COVID-19, there is one story you may not have heard –the story of the Connecticut State Militia.
“The Militia is a melting pot of Connecticut citizens who come from diverse backgrounds with a common goal in mind: to help their community. While their typical mission is ceremonial in nature, they are trained for specialized missions and remain prepared to be called to active duty in order to assist the state in a time of crisis, such as the coronavirus pandemic.” – Timothy Koster
To learn more about this group of dedicated CT citizens, visit: https://www.army.mil.
We hope you will join us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram) as we honor those who have and continue to serve in the Armed Forces with #ArmedForcesDay @MentalHealthCT. You may make a donation to MHC in honor or memory of a veteran in your life at www.mhconn.org/31days to help us reach our goal of raising $31,000 in 31 days this May.
Resources for Veterans and their families
On this day of #31DaysofWellness, we’d like to share some of the many resources available to veterans and their families for #SelfcareSaturday. Please take this day to accept our gratitude and care for yourself!
- Veterans Crisis Line: Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or Text 838255. You can also connect to responders online at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): If you’re a veteran or a veteran family member facing transition-related challenges or have questions, IAVA’s Rapid Response Referral Program (RRRP) can help. Whether you’re thinking about school, need help navigating the VA, or are confronting significant challenges like unemployment, homelessness, legal, financial or mental health struggles, we can get you connected to the quality resources you need to get back on your feet and meet your goals. Visit http://iava.org/rrrp-contact-us for more information.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: If you are experiencing mental health challenges, or suspect a family member would benefit from talking to a mental health provider, VA offers ways to help. Veterans and their family members can connect with support through in-person appointments at local VA facilities, telehealth sessions, and online resources. Learn more about how you or someone you care about can find help, either in your local community or online. Visit www.va.gov for more information.
Make the Connection : Make the Connection is a public awareness campaign by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides personal testimonials and resources to help Veterans discover ways to improve their lives. Visit https://maketheconnection.net for more information.
Military Benefits: Military Benefits provides targeted and up-to-date military benefits information to military active duty, veterans, spouses and family. Military Benefits covers education, military pay, health care, legal matters, veterans benefits, military discounts, great perks and much more. Visit https://militarybenefits.info for more information.
Self-Care Strategies after Returning from Military Deployment: Deployment can be very different from daily life at home. The experiences you have while deployed may lead to stress reactions, even after returning home. This article from Cigna provides from helpful Self-care tips for you and your family. Visit https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/health-wellness/self-care-after-returning-from-military-deployment for more information.
The Importance of Practicing Self-Care During Times of Stress: You’re used to giving it your all. It’s what providers, service members and military families do. But prolonged crises like the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic can take a toll on your well-being. When stress is high with little relief in sight, taking care of yourself is key so you’ll be there for your loved ones and those you serve. Check out this guide from militaryonesource.mil for self-care tips and tolls for you and your family.
#31DaysofWellness
#SelfcareSaturday
#ArmedForcesDay
