Guest: Kevin McAllister, Assistant Director OTED program, with the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Topic: Understanding the VA—benefits and services explained.
Issues: Veterans often leave the military unaware of available benefits; the VA has improved outreach efforts to connect with veterans; health benefits include primary and specialty care through VA facilities; educational benefits have expanded to include family members; the VA loan guarantee program offers 100% financing with no money down; career transition support is available through personalized planning programs; burial benefits include national cemetery access and financial assistance; veterans should seek help from accredited organizations for claims; mental health resources, including a crisis line, are available for veterans.
Find out more at https://www.va.gov/
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
https://benefits.va.gov/transition/
Guest: Zevan Shuster
Topic: Breaking the Silence on Youth Mental Health
Issues: Mental health challenges are common and should be openly discussed; breaking the stigma around mental health is crucial for healing; isolation can exacerbate mental health issues, especially during events like COVID-19; recognizing the need for help is a vital step in recovery; medication can play an important role in managing mental health; different therapeutic approaches can be effective for different individuals; parents should communicate openly with their children about mental health; it’s important to offer support without being overbearing as a parent; suicidal thoughts can be a part of mental health struggles and should be taken seriously; ongoing conversations about mental health are necessary for awareness and support.
Dial 988 if you or someone you care about needs immediate emotional support.
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
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