Marine Corps League Members.
Veterans from all eras are reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as the U.S withdrawal and the takeover by the Taliban. Our Marine Corps League members are also affected by this matter happening in Afghanistan. All veterans may question the meaning of their service or whether it was worth the sacrifices they made. Some of our members may feel more moral distress about experiences they had during their service. It’s normal to feel this way. Talk with your friends and families, reach out to battle buddies, connect with a peer-to-peer network, or sign up for mental health services.
Please read the below e-mail and PLEASE check out the resources that are listed. With our "battle buddies" system and these resources, hopefully all Marine Corps League members and all veterans may try to make some sense of what is happening. We owe it to all veterans to ensure their health and well-being is paramount. There are many among us that need this assistance at a time like this. As Marines as well as Marine Corps League members, we have the ability to make a difference in any veteran's life. We always step up and help our fellow brothers and sisters in time of need. IT IS WHAT WE DO!
These feelings are normal, but there is much that we can do to help others. First, let's talk to our fellow Marines in your local Detachments and any veteran that is in your life. Tell them these feelings are normal. It is alright to feel that way. But what you and I do next is most important, to continue talking to them and be there when they need us the most. PLEASE provide the below resources to anyone needing them. Don't just provide them these resources but discuss with them and even look through the resources with them and give them encouragement. We all need that.
Marines, this is our time to step up and make a difference. It is our mission, and it is just the right thing to do.
Semper Fi Marines,
Johnny Baker
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / National Commandant
Marine Corps League
Dear Community and Strategic Partners,
We need your help. Please review this information.
Call to action! We ask that you share widely across your Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivor networks in addition to your partners.
Due to Veterans from all eras reacting to the events in Afghanistan, such as withdrawal and take over by the Taliban, VA is working quickly to share VA resources, call center information, peer support, and other community services.
If you have questions or wish to collaborate with VA further on reaching more Veterans to get this critical information out, please let me know.
Additional communications will be going out this week on Wednesday evening.
Resources:
- Veterans Crisis Line - If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit http://www.
veteranscrisisline.net/
- For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.
- Vet Centers - Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387
or find one near you. - VA Mental Health Services Guide - This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.
- MakeTheConnection.net -
information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues. - RallyPoint - Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?
- Download VA's self-help apps - Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) - Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS) Is Here For You! Request a Peer Mentor or call 800-959-TAPS (8277)
- VA Women Veterans Call Center - Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 6:30PM ET)
- VA Caregiver Support Line - Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-
F 8AM - 10PM & SAT 8AM - 5PM ET) - Together We Served -Find your battle buddies through unit pages
- George W. Bush Institute - Need help or want to talk? Check In or call:1-630-522-4904 or email: checkin@
veteranwellnessalliance.org - Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes - Join the Community or call 202-249-7170
- American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network - Peer Support and Mentoring or call the Hero Care Network at 1-877-272-7337
- Team Red, White & Blue - Hundreds of events weekly. Find a chapter in your area.
- Student Veterans of America - Find a campus chapter to connect with.
- Team Rubicon - Find a local support squad.
Additional community resources and contacts:
- Vets4Warriors - 1-855-838-8255 Vets4Warriors | We've been where you are and we're with you now
- Wounded Warrior Project 1-888-WWP-ALUM or 1-904-405-1213 and Support for Veterans - Programs for Veterans in Need | WWP (woundedwarriorproject.org)
- America’s Warrior Partnership 1-866-AWPVETS America's Warrior Partnership | Empowering Communities to Empower Veterans (americaswarriorpartnership.
org) - Travis Manion Foundation – 1-215-348-9080 or email info@travismanion.org
- Code of Support 1-571-418-6339 press 1 Code of Support Foundation
- Independence Fund The Independence Fund
- Blue Star Families Blue Star Families - Find Your People, Build Your Community
- ETS Sponsorship ETS Sponsorship Program
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