WELLNESS IS PREVENTION: VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT 2020 On behalf of the Veterans Health Coalition, thank you for taking the time watch this summit. We encourage you to reach out to these resources to increase your well-being and build a healthy life. The Resource Guide which is available on the Summit webpage includes these resources and more. Please feel free to download it and share it widely!
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org/mental-health-summit
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Here’s to your health! The Charles E. Kubly Foundation (CEKF) is pleased to be sponsoring the Veterans Virtual Mental Health Summit. We hope you’ll glean something personally useful from the Summit—health tips and strategies that work for you, exposure to new wellness practices, and motivation from other veterans sharing their stories. Wellness IS Prevention!
The CEKF is focused on raising awareness about the common disease of depression, eliminating stigma so everyone talks more freely about mental health, increasing access to mental health resources and preventing suicide. It raises funds which it grants to nonprofit organizations working in mental health and suicide prevention.
Ann Homstad Executive Director The Charles E. Kubly Foundation
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
Rogers Behavioral Health is proud to partner with the VA to educate and support veterans and their families. Rogers and the VA Health System share the goal of positively impacting the lives and health of veterans and their families who are affected by mental health conditions, and we realize these wounds can be long-lasting and sometimes invisible. Rogers is committed to helping veterans and their families to move forward by providing them with the most effective and compassionate behavioral health care possible. We are honored work with the VA to support the recovery of those who have served our country.
Saluting and honoring Veterans requires more than gratitude. It requires action and dedication. For more than 20 years, Humana has served Veterans, military personnel and their families. Humana’s involvement started with being awarded the TRICARE South contract in 1996. Humana’s involvement with the Veteran community includes continued hiring initiatives focusing on hiring Veterans and military spouses, continuing exclusive designation as the national Medicare Advantage plan carrier for VFW and AMVETS, working on improving Veteran food insecurity through Ruck Marches at Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathons and Uniting to Combat Hunger campaigns, volunteering with local Veterans groups, and various other Veteran focused initiatives. In 2013, Humana received Secretary of Defense Distinguished Freedom Award for supporting National Guard and Reserve employees. Most recently Humana was named a Top Veteran Friendly Company in the US Veterans Magazine Annual Best of the Best list (2020). Humana Medicare Advantage plans have also earned the highly coveted “Recommended by USAA” designation. When it comes to Veteran’s, Humana is your company.
Contacts: Mike Sylvester Henry Bourassa Phone: (414)551-1331 Phone: (262)501-1816
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
NOW FOR THE PROGRAMMING:
The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center is located on 245 acres on the western edge of Milwaukee. The Medical Center delivers primary, secondary, and tertiary medical care in 196 hospital beds and provides more than 857,000 visits annually through an extensive outpatient program. The nursing home care unit of 113 beds offers geriatric programming and the 150 domiciliary beds are the focus of programs in Substance Abuse Rehabilitation, Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder care. The VAMC also has community clinics in Appleton, Cleveland, Green Bay, and Union Grove, Wisconsin. Special programs include interventional radiology, cardiac surgery, comprehensive cancer care including radiation therapy, an extensive telemedicine program with the Iron Mountain, MI VAMC, a Spinal Cord Injury Unit, and, in long term care, a Geriatric Evaluation and Management Program and a palliative care program.
Reducing Veteran suicide is VA’s top clinical priority. In this presentation you will learn about the Suicide Prevention Program’s national initiatives as well as local efforts to prevent suicide among Veterans. Suicide is a national public health issue that affects everyone. Individuals do not need specialized mental health training to help someone who is suicidal. Simple effective interventions can make a real difference and save a life.
Contact: Laura Acompando, LCSW Erin Maney, LCSW Phone: (414)384-2000 Ext. 42671 Phone: (414)384-2000 Ext. 46787 www.veteranscrisisline.net www.betherewis.com
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
SUCCESS STORIES
SAM FLOYD
I currently am working with a counselor through the VA. It is a form of acceptance therapy. There is a mediation element that is very helpful that I try to practice in my everyday life. I also started my own coffee roasting business with the intension to start conversations. Conversations over coffee can be the start of the healing process that so many veterans are longing for. A percentage of every sale goes to an Organization called Semper Fi Fund. They are an organization that gives veterans resources and they also provide opportunities that allow veterans to heal from their wounds suffered while serving our country. My company is my own form of therapy as well. It provides me opportunities to tell my story so that others may hear it and seek help if they are struggling.
Thank you again for this opportunity, Sam Floyd, Operation Coffee www.semperfifund.org www.operationcoffee.com.
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
MARK FOREMAN Navy Corpsman with the 3rd Battalion/5th Marines in Vietnam (1968)
I was a Navy Corpsman attached to the grunt marines for five weeks in Vietnam. It was my job when a marine was wounded to stop their bleeding and keep them breathing long enough to be medevacked to a field hospital. Every day, from sunrise to sunset, we walked in single file through small villages, rice fields, and dense jungle-covered mountains. We received sniper fire most days, but they never hit any of us. It wasn’t until the fifth week that everything turned south. Eighty-three of us were climbing a steep mountain when we found ourselves surrounded by fifteen hundred North Vietnamese Army Regulars. 70% of us were either killed or wounded in the first ten minutes of the battle. I was severely wounded on the second day of what turned out to be a very bloody six-day battle. It took five days before any of us wounded could be safely medevacked to field hospitals. The process of healing physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually from this kind of trauma has been an ongoing, but fascinating challenge over the past fifty-two years.
DAVID BROWN My name is Dave Brown and I am U.S. Army, Retired, and Iraqi Combat Veteran. I proudly served in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard for a combine service time of 14 years. Because of my combat service I have developed daily challenges that I have face for the past 17 years. During the last 17 years I have struggled with recovery, addiction, and PTSD. During my time of struggle, I have found my calling in helping vets like myself and the passion for cooking. Helping veterans and cooking has become therapeutic and my new purpose in life. These two new passions of mine have allowed me to follow my dreams.
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
RESOURCE PRESENTATIONS
Advocate-Aurora Veterans Program is designed by Veteran for Veterans. Military is a culture, and we believe that understanding that culture is essential to helping our veteran and active duty brothers and sisters to find wellness. This presentation is a brief overview of our program and our philosophy and why military culture matters, and how we are helping veterans.
Presenter: Dr Gregory Burek, USMC
Veterans can call 414-454-6516 or 414-454-6600 to schedule and/or get information on programming.
The Center for Veterans Issues (CVI), is a non-profit 501(c) 3 veteran service organization dedicated to serving all veterans in the areas of housing, employment, legal matters and re- adjustment services. Our approach is a wrap-around approach, where CVI provides needed community services for all veterans. CVI serves all who wore the uniform!
Dr Berdie Cowser is presenting for CVI.
Eduardo Garza, CEO Veterans Resource Center, 3400 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53208 414-345-4251 https://www.cvivet.org/
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
Capt. John D Mason Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Captain-John-D-Mason-Veteran-Peer-Outreach-Program- 359067281582256
Mark Flower, Veteran Peer Specialist, shares with you about this outreach program. The Veteran Peers use their unique skills and Veteran affiliation to provide outreach by engaging Veterans and their families in the community to connect them with Veterans, VA healthcare, and community resources to live a healthy and productive life.
Contacts: Mark Flower (414) 238-1798 (cell) (414) 955-8910 (office) [email protected]
Chris Swift (262) 227-2050 (cell) (414) 955-8910 (office) [email protected]
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
In today’s modern world, more and more people are turning to yoga and massage as natural alternatives to improve overall health and well-being. In this presentation, you will learn about the benefits of the practice, and specifically how this practice is helping the Veteran population. Hear from a Veteran who shares his personal yoga journey. Meet the owner of Everyday Bliss and the teacher who has been providing FREE weekly yoga classes for Veterans on Sundays at 10:30 am. Discover details on how you can join. We look forward to meeting you!
262-781-8102 http://everyday-bliss.com
Float Milwaukee is the area’s first dedicated floatation therapy center. Our spa-like environment allows for floating in a private pod or private open pool with 10 inches of warm water and 950 pounds of Epsom salt. Customers can choose to float with or without music and/or light. The result is a feeling of weightlessness and many potential benefits, including deep relaxation, stress relief, pain relief, enhanced creativity, focus, and learning, reduction in insomnia, and assistance with alleviating anxiety and symptoms of PTSD. We are proud to have been named Veteran Friendly Business of the Year by the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce in 2017.
Andy Larson, owner, tells you about Float and what is it like. Sgt. M. Andrew Freiburghaus describes his process with floating and how it has helped him.
Andy Larson Float Milwaukee 211 W. Freshwater Way Milwaukee, WI 53204 414-273-7258 Email: [email protected] Website: www.floatmilwaukee.com
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
Helping Vets We know that combat veterans suffering from physical or emotional pains of war are helped by many different things: counseling, medication, alternative therapies like meditation and yoga, and even by such things as scuba diving. Animals, especially dogs, also play a therapeutic role with veterans. Dogs help to meet veterans’ needs for safety, a sense of calm, and companionship.
Who We Help? HAVEN helps veterans with service-connected PTSD and survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. Veterans who are eligible must either be currently in treatment or proof of recently completed treatment and have received a referral from the appropriate provider at VA. HAVEN provides training at no fee to Vets and their dogs. HAVEN does not provide dogs to Vets. A strong commitment to the training is required as it may take at least a year to complete training.
How We Help Veterans involved in the HAVEN training program teach their dogs behaviors like retrieving, as well as tasks needed for the veterans’ specific disabilities such as alerting behaviors, leading to safety, and watching their backs. All programs at HAVEN use Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT): a force free training method that allows the dog to become a more willing and eager learner. The training becomes a shared experience, leading to a strong bond of trust between the dog and the veteran. Training is less stressful and thus more enjoyable for both the veteran and the dog.
Linda M. Bobot CPDT-KA KPA-CTP The Teacher's Pet Dog Training LLC HAVEN, Inc. Hounds and Vets Empowered Now Guardian Angels Service and Therapy Dogs LLC Phone: (414)282-7534
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
Healing Warrior Hearts provides free retreats for veterans guiding the emotionally wounded to the peace that heals and strengthens their hearts. The gathering of community, unconditional acceptance, and the absence of judgment create the safety required for healing to occur. Veterans will experience a community of support from fellow vets as well as civilians, people committed and willing to listen to the vets’ stories with compassion and confidentiality and without judgment, helping heal their hearts.
Patricia Clason describes the retreats and tells a story of one veteran’s powerful experience. Dianne Young, USMC, retired, tells her story of finding Healing Warrior Hearts and her healing journey.
Patricia Clason, Founder Email: [email protected] Website: http://HealingWarriorHearts.org Phone: 414.374.5433
The horse is effective with Veterans since horses are very concerned with their surroundings. In the wild they are animals that are preyed upon and they can pick up on what others are projecting. Veterans make an instant connection with the horse because the concerns are the same and connection is the key for a lot people seeking a more fulfilling lifestyle.
Brenda Compher Phone: (262)496-8832 or (262)818-4463 Email: [email protected]
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
Brian Michel and Victor Kilpatrick present on the nation’s first peer-run respite for veterans, the R&R House. In 2019, Mental Health America of Wisconsin was awarded a grant from the State of Wisconsin to open the R&R House. Victor, a veteran of the United States Navy, serves as Project Coordinator, and joined the R&R House to help create a homelike environment for veterans who are recovering from mental health and substance use challenges. The session will provide summary information on the R&R House, what a guest can expect when seeking services, and the value of having a resource like the R&R House from the perspective of former service members. Mental Health America of Wisconsin provides various wellness services for veterans, including the R&R House. The R&R House provides on-site peer support in a homelike environment, providing stays up to one week for veterans of any discharge status or disability rating to benefit from peer support with those who share lived experience. The staff of the R&R House also provides 24/7 warmline services through a non-crisis support line, available at 262-336- 9540. Staff at the R&R House are veterans with lived experience of recovery from mental health and/or substance use issues who have been trained to apply their skills to support other veterans in their recovery. Brian Michel Director of Prevention Services Mental Health America of Wisconsin [email protected] 414.336.7961
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
Milwaukee Vet Center • Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS), section of VHA (Veterans Health Administration), administers 300 Vet Centers nationwide • Vet Centers provide services at no cost to the client – no insurance, billing, co-pays, or income limits • Services include individual, group, couples, family therapy, referrals, outreach, and wellness activities • Started as a peer counseling program, now employs independently licensed clinicians to provide the full spectrum of readjustment counseling
• Separate and confidential medical records from the Veterans Administration • Came into existence in June 1979 through Public Law 96-22, which established authority for VA to provide a new category of non-medical service, “readjustment counseling” • Provides Veterans the support and assistance they need to reintegrate successfully into civilian life • Originally intended to be a time-limited program, RCS was created as a new VHA organizational element and was made permanent in 1983 by Public Law 98-160 • Vet Center culture centered on respecting and understanding the military experience and working to reduce barriers to accessing care – “Keeping the Promise,” “Help without Hassles” Ozzie Brodhead Richard Clark, Jr. Milwaukee Vet Center Department of Veterans Affairs 7910 N. 76th St. Milwaukee, WI 53223 414-902-5561 office
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
Wisconsin Veterans Network (VetsNet) is a non-profit organization based in West Allis, WI but services the whole state of Wisconsin. We are staffed by veterans to serve veterans. VetsNet is a collaborative resource center that offers veterans a “one stop shop” experience. We have over 75 partnering agencies that assist with everything from homelessness to navigating the bureaucracy of the Department of Veteran Affairs. VetsNet identifies the needs of the veteran and match them with a qualifying agency streamlining the process for the veteran resulting in quicker resolution of the issue. Most of our services are connecting veterans with the resources they need to find a resolution, however we do offer a peer support group for female veterans who have experienced sexual assault or harassment in service. VetsNet will serve anyone who has worn the uniform. It does not matter how long the veteran has served or type of discharge they received
RESOURCES PROVIDED VetsNet provides a large amount of resources to veterans and their families. We connect veterans to homelessness services, rehousing, financial counseling, benefits counseling, legal assistance, home repairs, domestic violence assistance, employment assistance, interview and resume resources, and mental health counseling. We also provide emergency relief services that include food, suicide prevention, and housing services for those in imminent danger. Additionally, we have a female veteran military sexual trauma peer support group that meets virtually, it connects women across the state of Wisconsin to find support from one another in a safe environment.
Kelsey Gumm, Navigator, DC1 (SW), USN, Retired Wisconsin Veterans Network (VetsNet) 6317 W. Greenfield Avenue, West Allis, WI 53214 Office: 414-257-3624 Cell: 262-320-7727 https://www.wisvetsnet.org/
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
The Wisconsin Society of Acupuncturists (WISCA) is a non-profit, professional organization of practitioners, students, and supporters of Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine. Our mission includes patient education, growing our profession, advocating for practitioners, facilitating continuing education opportunities, and helping acupuncturists connect across the state.
Acupuncture has gained popularity and acceptance in the US as doctors and other medical practitioners increasingly recommend patients seek care. The VA’s Whole Health Program allows Veterans and military families access to Complementary and Integrative Health options, including acupuncture. Acupuncture is an effective and drug-free way to reduce pain, addiction, stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD and several other mind and body issues. Acupuncture is a centuries old system of medicine that involves painless insertion of a solid needle that looks more like a thin wire than a traditional hypodermic needle. Join us to learn what acupuncture is, how it works and how it can help you successfully manage your health.
Megan Beilinski & Heather Eldridge, acupuncturists, tell you what it is all about and do a quick demonstration of the ear protocols at the end. Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.acupuncturewisconsin.org/practitioners/
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) offers many programs in the Milwaukee area. The Veterans Outreach and Recovery Program (VORP) staff work with community partners and professionals to provide assistance and connection to mental health services, substance use treatment, financial assistance, housing and utilities, claims and benefits assistance, employment and education, transportation, and many other services. Emphasis is placed on leveraging resources to enforce No Wrong Door Policies. Meaning, whomever the veteran contacts, the goal is to service their needs directly. Or, to conduct a soft hand-off where a value-added experience is achieved.
The Veterans Housing and Recovery Program (VHRP) provides temporary housing to veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Veterans may stay at a VHRP for up to 24 months and work with a case manager on permanent housing, employment, healthcare, and behavioral health services. The Veterans Assistance Grant provides financial assistance to those in need and who have exhausted all other resources. The grants may be used for health care or other subsistence needs. WDVA offers federal claims assistance to assist Wisconsin veterans and their families obtain benefits and services through the United State Department of Veterans Affairs by serving as their accredited representative for matters pertaining to VA benefits and entitlements.
Gerald Sieren Phone: (262)225-7636 https://dva.wi.gov/Pages/benefitsclaims/VORP.aspx Email: [email protected]
www.veteranshealthcoalition.org