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Join SMVF Talks for Suicide Prevention Awareness: VA SAVE Training

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, SMVF Talks is hosting a special VA SAVE training to raise awareness and provide practical steps to support those at risk of suicide within the Service Member, Veteran, and Family (SMVF) community.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, September 12th

Time: 6:00 PM (EST)

Location: Online via Zoom (link and QR code below)

The session will be led by Megan Vanoli, Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator with the Lexington VA. The VA SAVE training aims to help attendees recognize the signs of suicide risk, ask the right questions, and encourage life-saving help-seeking behaviors. The acronym SAVE stands for

  • Signs of suicidal thinking
  • Ask the person about suicide
  • Validate the person’s feelings
  • Encourage them to get help

This training is especially valuable for providers, professionals, and anyone interested in learning how to support the SMVF population. SMVF Talks takes place on the second Thursday of every month at 6:00 PM EST and offers a valuable opportunity to learn from veterans and experts on topics relevant to the military community.

Please share this important information with your contacts and help raise awareness.

Zoom Meeting Details:

  • Link: Join Here
  • Meeting ID: 812 5398 2596
  • Passcode: 205582

Scan the QR Code Below to Join:

RSVP:
RSVP is not required, but appreciated. Please send an RSVP to info@biak.us.

Brought to You By:

  • Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky (BIAK)
  • Kentucky Friends of Veterans

Visit http://www.biak.us for more information.

For more updates, follow SMVF Talks on Facebook: SMVF Talks/Facebook

For more information or to get help, contact:
Heath Dolen
Project Manager, SMVF Behavioral Health
Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities
Phone: (502) 782-6160
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Help spread the word to assist Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.

SMVF TALKS September 2024 Flyer PDF.pdfDownload
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announcements partners public education

Veterans: Stand Together on 988 Day – “No Judgment. Just Help”

🎖️ Veterans: Stand Together on 988 Day – “No Judgment. Just Help”

This Sunday, September 8th, we unite as a nation to recognize 988 Day, a day designed to bring awareness to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—a lifeline for our brothers and sisters in arms. The challenges veterans face are unique, and so is the support offered through 988, where trained responders are ready to listen, 24/7.

What’s 988?

  • 🔸 Quick & Confidential – Just dial 988, and press 1 for veteran-specific help.
  • 🔸 Immediate Support – Whether it’s PTSD, depression, or moral injury, 988 connects you with someone who understands what veterans face.
  • 🔸 No Judgment. Just Help – This lifeline is for YOU. It’s not about where you’ve been but about getting you the support you need now.

💻 Explore the Toolkit

SAMHSA has developed a powerful toolkit to help us spread the message. You can access it here: 988 Day Toolkit. Let’s flood our social media and veteran networks with this message. Every post could save a life.

🇺🇸 Kentucky Veterans: We Need Your Voice

Help us amplify this important message by using Kentucky’s 988 logo in your posts: Download Logo.

📊 Check Out the Impact

Take a moment to see how 988 is already making a difference here in Kentucky. The public-facing 988 dashboard tells the story of the lives we’re saving: View Dashboard.

Why Veterans Need 988

  • 🔹 1.5x higher suicide rate among veterans
  • 🔹 Many veterans face mental health struggles long after leaving the battlefield
  • 🔹 988 connects veterans directly to responders who understand these challenges

By sharing these resources, you’re not just spreading awareness—you’re providing lifesaving support. This is a battle we fight together. Share the message, stand up for your fellow veterans, and let them know there’s always help at 988.

Important Links:

🔗 SAMHSA 988 Day Toolkit
🔗 Kentucky 988 Dashboard

⚠️ Your Voice Saves Lives

📞 Dial 988 – Press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line

Best regards,

Your DAV Chapter 55

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announcements partners public education workshops

Register – Crisis Safety Planning Workshop: Code Red

Join us for the DAV55 Fall 2024 Workshop Series, an enriching set of training sessions aimed at enhancing community resilience and mental health awareness. These workshops, led by the EKU Trauma and Suicide Prevention Team, provide invaluable lessons on crisis management, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed care, equipping attendees with essential skills to support themselves and others in times of need.

Description: Join us for “Code Red,” a crisis safety planning workshop designed to help participants develop personalized safety plans for mental health crises. Through guided steps, participants will learn to recognize warning signs, create effective coping strategies, identify supportive social contacts, and know which professionals to reach out to during a crisis. Each attendee will leave with a tailored plan, enhancing their preparedness for managing mental health challenges.

Date & Time:
July 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM (Potluck meal begins immediately following the monthly DAV meeting)

Location:
Madison County Veterans Center, 1215 W Main Street, Richmond, KY

Details:

  • Free
  • One Hour
  • Open to the public
  • Accompanied by a light meal
  • Evidence-based and taught by trained clinicians

Contact Information:
For more information, please email contact@dav55.org.

Registration Link:
Register Here

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announcements online events partners

Join SMVF Talks – Special Guest Rev. Dr. Jim Thurman!

Date: Thursday, June 13th
Time: 6:00 PM (EST)
Location: Zoom Meeting (link and details below)

Our friends at SMVF Talks are hosting a special event tonight! This month’s featured guest is Rev. Dr. Jim Thurman, Commander of the Lexington Chapter of the National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS). NABVETS is dedicated to creating a positive lifestyle for veterans, a mission that aligns perfectly with our values.

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, June 13th
  • Time: 6:00 PM (EST)
  • Zoom Link: Join the Meeting
  • Meeting ID: 812 5398 2596
  • Passcode: 205582

Please help support our veterans. For more information, visit the SMVF Talks Facebook Group.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Best regards,

DAV Chapter 55