USI, SWI-AHEC and Department of Veterans Affairs collaborate on annual VA Mental Health Summit and Workshop

The Department of Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the University of Southern Indiana and Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center, is sponsoring the VA Mental Health Summit and Workshop for both veterans and health professionals beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in the Health Professions Center on the USI campus, to support the mental health needs of veterans and their families.

"Last year's event was successful in that we were able to pull together regional organizations that provide veteran-centered, recovery-oriented care to veterans," said Joel Matherly, manager of the Veteran, Military & Family Resource Center at USI. "Many military veterans and their dependents utilize at least some healthcare services outside of the Veterans Administration, so it is critically important that the VA and community providers collaborate, especially in the area of mental health."

The Mental Health Summit will be from 8 a.m. to noon and will include a resource fair and presentations on military culture, veteran suicide prevention and VA access to care. Veterans and their family members will also share their military experiences and readjustment challenges.

A workshop for health professionals and veterans will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Topics for the afternoon include "Building a Suicide Safer Community" and "Psychological First Aid During Disasters." Free continuing education units will be available for afternoon attendees.

To register, call 812-464-1989 or 800-467-8600 or visit the summit webpage on USI.edu.