This issue of CLMHD's Weekly e-News is in honor of Veterans Day, November 11, 2022. 

“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.” —Abraham Lincoln

Veterans Struggle With Issues That Are Often Invisible to Others

WASHINGTON — Melissa Gauntner, a retired Army first sergeant, has at times been gripped with panic and has trouble socializing beyond close friends, the result of dual traumas: years of sexual assault and harassment in the military, and mine explosions she saw in Afghanistan.

Jen Burch, once an active runner, developed breathing problems after she was exposed to toxic burn pits in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Isiah James, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, keeps a knife in his shower, ever on guard.

Thousands of veterans who served in the wars that began after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks struggle with issues that are often invisible to those around them. Read more here.

VA releases 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report

VA’s latest annual report shows encouraging downward trends in Veteran suicide counts and rates, yet ongoing critical work remains. The 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report analyzes Veteran suicide data from 2001-2020. Containing the most comprehensive set of data about Veteran suicide mortality to date, the report is the first to evaluate Veteran suicide during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A General Fights to Destigmatize Mental Health Issues: ‘There’s a Shame if You Show Weakness’

WASHINGTON — Maj. Gen. Ernest Litynski has received numerous awards and decorations during his nearly three decades in the Army. But he is best known among soldiers and his superiors for his campaign to illuminate mental health issues among troops, scraping away bit by bit at the stigma that often leads to tragedy.

In meetings with new formations of Army Reserve troops, he might first talk about physical fitness and training before moving on to the story of his own unraveling after he returned from Afghanistan, when he would sit in his darkened basement, ignoring his family and staring into nothingness.

“I removed myself from everybody between 2007 and 2010,” he recalled. “I wouldn’t go to family parties, events, wouldn’t go out with my family to eat. I would turn the TV on just for noise. I would not go up to bed with my wife. The burden I put on my wife and 12-year-old daughter had to be the worst.” Read more here.

Recognizing a Hidden Risk Among Our Veterans

Veterans Day is recognized nationwide to honor the millions of veterans who have served. Between relatives, friends, coworkers, and neighbors, nearly everyone knows at least one person who has served in the military. Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the unique challenges faced by service members. It is also an opportunity to create better systems of support for those who’ve served. Recent research by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and Bowling Green State University has indicated that problem gambling is 3.5 times higher among active military personnel compared to the general population. Read more here.

RESOURCES

NYS Division of Veterans' Services

NYS Veterans Health Information Clearing House: Provides a list of resources for veterans, their families and their health care providers seeking health care information.

NAMI Homefront Mental Health Resources: NAMI offers information, support and education specifically for veterans, service members and their families. 

Operation Green Light: A collaboration between the NYSAC, NYSCEA, the NYS County Veteran Service Officers' Association, and the 62 counties of New York State. Its mission is to show support for veterans of all military conflicts, with a special emphasis on the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as raise awareness about the challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist veterans and their families.

PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project: Mission is to assist Veterans, service members, and their families to achieve and sustain personal health, wellness, and purpose in their post-service lives through the support of trained, veteran peers.

SAMHSA’s SMVF TA Center: A national resource to support states, territories, and local communities in strengthening their capacity to address the behavioral health needs of military and veteran families.

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): For very low-income Veterans, SSVF provides case management and supportive services to prevent the imminent loss of a Veteran's home or identify a new, more suitable housing situation for the individual and his or her family; or to rapidly re-house Veterans and their families who are homeless and might remain homeless without this assistance.

US Department of Veterans Affairs - Mental Health

UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAININGS

Champions of Change: Time for a Call to Action on Veteran Problem Gambling

November 15, 9 am - 2 pm, NYCPG

Implementing the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Standards

November 15, 2 - 3:30 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Crisis Intercept Mapping for Service Members, Veterans and their Families: Applications and Updates

November 16, 1 - 2:30 pm, SAMHSA

Addressing our Drug Overdose Deaths: Combined Strategies to Optimize Health, Wellness and Recovery through a Culturally Responsive System of Care

November 16, 2 - 3 pm, SAMHSA HHRC

Consent, Emergency, Quality Flag: PSYCKES Levels of Access

November 16, 2 - 3 pm, OMH

The Paramedic Will See You Now: Expanding Access to Community-Based Care for People with Complex Needs

November 16, 3 - 4 pm, Better Care Playbook

Substance Use Disorder in Older Americans

November 17, 1 - 2 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Health Equity Workshop Series: Practical Steps for Application

November 28, 1 - 2:30 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing

MyCHOIS Consumer Access for “My Treatment Data”

December 1, 1 - 2 pm, OMH

Growing the Workforce Pipeline through Strategic Community Partnerships

December 8, 2 - 3 pm, National Council for Mental Wellbeing

CLMHD CALENDAR

NOVEMBER

CLMHD Office Closed - Veterans Day 

November 11

LGU Clinic Operators Meeting

November 14 10 - 11:30 am

Children & Families Committee Meeting

November 15: 11:30 am - 1 pm

CLMHD Office Closed - Thanksgiving 

November 24 - 25

Quarterly LGU Billing Staff Meeting

November 29: 9:30 - 10:30 am

Inter-Agency Meeting - In-Person in Albany

November 29: 2 - 4:30 pm

DECEMBER

CLMHD Executive Committee Meeting

December 7: 8 - 9 am

Addiction Services & Recovery Committee Meeting

December 8: 11 am - 12 pm

Mental Health Committee Meeting

December 8: 3 - 4 pm

LGU Clinic Operators Meeting

December 13: 10 - 11:30 am

CLMHD Membership Meeting

December 14: 9 - 10:30 am

Mental Hygiene Planning Committee Meeting

December 15: 1 - 3 pm

Children & Families Committee Meeting

December 20: 11:30 am - 1 pm

Developmental Disabilities Committee Meeting

December 22: 1 - 2:30 pm

CLMHD Office Closed - Christmas

December 26

CLMHD Office Closed - New Year's Day

January 2, 2023