HEALTH & WELLNESS CORNER
HEALTH & WELLNESS CORNER
Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Florida ’ s Veterans ( And Everyone Else )
BRUCE BLITMAN
LINDA CASALE , MSN RN PMHN-BC
Florida is home to more than 1.5 million veterans , the third-highest veteran population in the United States . In recent years , the need to support veterans has gained increased attention . Many veterans return from military service with physical and mental health challenges , including post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) and other service-related conditions . The recent celebration of Veterans Day should extend beyond mere acknowledgment of their devoted service but calls for a commitment to ensure that veterans receive the care and support they need . This should include advocating for better health care , mental health services , and job training programs for veterans .
The Palm Beach County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness ( NAMI Palm Beach County ) recently launched its newest program , NAMI HOMEFRONT , to better support veterans . The NAMI HOMEFRONT educational program is offered for FREE and held over six sessions . It is designed for families , caregivers , and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions . The program covers a range of topics , including understanding mental health conditions , navigating the VA system , and self-care for caregivers .
NAMI HOMEFRONT addresses the unique needs of family , caregivers , and friends of service members or veterans who have served or are serving our country . Trained family members of service members or veterans with mental health conditions teach the program . It is funded through the generous support of United Way ' s Mission United Grant and the Palm Beach Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution .
For more information about this program , please contact NAMI Palm Beach County at ( 561 ) 588-3477 , namipbc . org .
Dental Assistance for Veterans More than 10 % of Florida ' s veterans need critical dental care but don ' t qualify for VA assistance . The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund is working with dental care professionals throughout Florida to address this concern . Founded in 2009 , the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund is a grassroots non-profit organization led by veterans serving veterans . They aim to provide urgent financial assistance and critical dental care to Florida ' s eligible wounded and disabled veterans . The WVRF Critical Dental Assistance Program offers free , comprehensive care for Florida veterans with immediate , severe dental problems , including extractions , implants , and dentures . The program partners with more than 150 dental offices and has provided more than 2.5 million dollars in direct assistance to over 390 veterans . To learn more about WVRF , please visit http :// www . wvrf . org .
Crisis Resources Suppose you are looking for support in finding resources . In that case , you can call NAMI PBC ' s resource specialist at ( 561 ) 588-3477 , available during regular business hours to help you identify resources within Palm Beach County .
In an Emergency Call 211 : Highly trained and caring staff provide 24 / 7 crisis support , suicide prevention , and help finding community resources and services . Staff can link callers to mobile response units or law enforcement if the situation warrants immediate attention .
Mobile Response : Mobile Response provides emergency intervention , deescalation , and screening for emotionally distressed individuals . It is available 24 / 7 and can be accessed by calling 211 .
911 : If you find that the situation has escalated to the point where the individual is a danger to themselves or others , call 911 , describe your situation , and ask for a CIT-trained officer . The Crisis Intervention Team ( CIT ) completes a week-long training program developed nationally by NAMI and law enforcement to improve communication , identify mental health resources for those in crisis , and ensure officer and community safety .
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline : If you need emotional support , reach out to the National Mental Health Hotline 988 . This 24 / 7 , free , confidential mental health hotline connects individuals in need of support with counselors across the United States and its territories . People DO NOT have to be suicidal to call . Reasons to call include substance abuse disorder , economic worries , relationships , culture and identity , illness , intimate partner violence , depression , mental and physical illness , and loneliness . The 988 Lifeline provides you with judgment-free care . Talking with someone can help save your life . Call or text 988 .
Linea 988 de prevencion del suicidio y crisis is available in Spanish .
988 Lifeline options are available for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing . For TTY users , Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 and 988 .
988 Videophone for Deaf / HoH American Sign Language Users : ASL Now .
Veterans Crisis Line : Veterans in crisis and their families and friends can connect with qualified Department of Veterans Affairs Responders through a confidential toll-free hotline , online chat , or text by calling 988 and pressing 1 . Call 988 — text 838255 . Chat with VCL .
Disaster Distress Helpline : A national , US-based crisis counseling and support line for people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or humancaused disasters is also available . Some who may benefit include disaster victims , their friends and family , and disaster recovery workers . For deaf and hard-ofhearing ASL callers , to connect directly to a DDH crisis worker fluent in American Sign Language , click the “ ASL Now ” button above or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone . ASL Support is available 24 / 7 .
BRUCE A . BLITMAN is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit , County and Family Mediator in Palm Beach Gardens , Florida . He is a member of The Florida Bar ' s Standing Committee on the Mental Health and Wellness of Florida Lawyers and also currently serves on the Health and Wellness Committees for the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Broward County Bar Association .
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