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September is Suicide Prevention Month
Throughout the Month of September, the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services partnered with the VA Maine Healthcare System, Maine's Vet Centers, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and others to educate the public on the issue of veteran suicide.
A series of trainings were held across the state, and we also hosted a successful resource fair at the Maine State House. During the "Call to Action" month, MBVS had three (3) goals:
1. Get our partners, employees, and the general public Gate Keeper Trained. Gate Keeper training refers to programs that seek to develop individuals' knowledge, attitudes and skills to identify (those) at risk, determine levels of risk, and make referrals whenever necessary.
2. Educate the community on the importance of making a Family Safety Plan surrounding suicide.
3. Focus on resources that keep veterans healthy. Reaching veterans before they are in crisis is essential to preventing suicide.
Veteran suicide continues to be a crisis that effects our veterans and their families, and education is vital to reducing the number of veterans who die by suicide every year. Learning who to call and where to reach out for help is crucial to saving a life.
To learn more about available resources for veterans and their families, please contact the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services at 207-430-6035 or visit our website at www.maine.gov/veterans.
We can all make a difference in the lives of those around us. What are YOU willing to do to prevent veteran suicide? Fill out a commitment card and share with us how you plan to #BeThere for our veterans.
Email your card to mainebvs@maine.gov
22nd Annual Homeless Veteran Stand Down
On Saturday, October 19th, the VA Maine Healthcare System will be hosting their 22nd Annual Homeless Veteran Stand Down.
As always, the Stand Down is FREE and OPEN to the public.
The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services' office at Togus will be open during the Stand Down, and veterans are encouraged to stop by and meet with one of our highly trained Veteran Service Officers. MBVS will be represented by Director David Richmond, Homeless Veteran Coordinator Jarad Greeley, as well as Veteran Service Officers.
During the Stand Down, Disabled American Veterans of Maine (DAV) has planned departure locations and times at 16 locations across the state for those veterans who wish to attend.
The locations are:
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