The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations (SAMHSA) of the US Department of Health & Human Services and the Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families Technical Assistance (SMVF TA) Center will host a webinar, Addressing the Behavioral Health Needs of Our National Guard and Reserve Components, on Thursday, February 3, 1:30-3:00pm EST.

More than one million of our service members are members of the National Guard or Reserves. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, 2020 required one of the highest mobilization levels of the National Guard since World War II, due to continuous activations in response to missions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and civil unrest. The strategically important Reserve component within the U.S. Armed Forces comprised nearly one-third of all military personnel and one-quarter of service members deployed between 2001 and 2015. National Guard and Reserve components do not receive the same behavioral health care coverage provided to their active-duty brothers and sisters and Reserve component service members insurance benefits are dependent upon activation orders. For those seeking behavioral health treatment, access to top-quality treatment is vital to personal recovery and wellness and military readiness.

This 1.5-hour webinar will provide a framework for National Guard and Reserve component service members and their families to better navigate the behavioral health resources and services they are eligible to receive. We will discuss strategies for improving access and best practices in treatment and services. Participants will discover tools and resources available to promote these strategies and make an impact in their local communities.

Click here for more information about the speakers and to register.

The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) of Westchester will host a Mental Health Speakers Forum for Veterans and Their Families at the VFW Post 1666 on Monday, February 7, 6:30-8:00pm.

Featured speaker Sal Gonzalez, with a panel discussion to follow.

Sal was injured in 2004 and works with the Wounded Warrior Project, to help as many warriors as possible by sharing his experience and encouraging them to seek help. Sharing his message of Anything’s Possible. He is also a musician — not only to process his own emotions and continue his recovery, but also to inspire other injured veterans to continue living their lives.

Register here.

All registrants will be signed up for emails directly from NAMI Westchester.

NAMI Westchester, www.namiwestchester.org

For additional resources on NAMI Homefront, click on: https://namiwestchester.org/support-and-education/mental-health-education/nami-homefront/

NAMI is the nation's largest mental health grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by mental illness through education, support, and advocacy.

The Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration will host a PTSD Group via Zoom on Friday, February 11, 3-4pm (EST).  

Symptoms of PTSD can occur during peacetime, training or war.  Join this group for open discussion and activities that can help.

To register, contact Jessica Bugbee:

[email protected]

1-845-481-4004

Zoom Meeting ID: 527 401 7756

This meeting is held every Friday.

The Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration will host a PTSD Group via Zoom on Friday, February 18, 3-4pm (EST).  

Symptoms of PTSD can occur during peacetime, training or war.  Join this group for open discussion and activities that can help.

To register, contact Jessica Bugbee:

[email protected]

1-845-481-4004

Zoom Meeting ID: 527 401 7756

This meeting is held every Friday.

The Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration will host a PTSD Group via Zoom on Friday, February 25, 3-4pm (EST).  

Symptoms of PTSD can occur during peacetime, training or war.  Join this group for open discussion and activities that can help.

To register, contact Jessica Bugbee:

[email protected]

1-845-481-4004

Zoom Meeting ID: 527 401 7756

This meeting is held every Friday.

The Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration will host a PTSD Group via Zoom on Friday, January 28, 3-4pm (EST).  

Symptoms of PTSD can occur during peacetime, training or war.  Join this group for open discussion and activities that can help.

To register, contact Jessica Bugbee:

[email protected]

1-845-481-4004

Zoom Meeting ID: 527 401 7756

This meeting is held every Friday.

The Hudson Valley National Center for Veteran Reintegration will host a PTSD Group via Zoom on Friday, February 4, 3-4pm (EST).  

Symptoms of PTSD can occur during peacetime, training or war.  Join this group for open discussion and activities that can help.

To register, contact Jessica Bugbee:

[email protected]

1-845-481-4004

Zoom Meeting ID: 527 401 7756

This meeting is held every Friday.

RiseBoro's NY Project Hope initiative is a FREE,ANONYMOUS and CONFIDENTIAL emotional support program aimed at supporting NY community members in dealing with the impact of COVID and other traumatic events that have occurred throughout the past year and a half. Their crisis counselors can provide emotional support and connection to community resources in person or over the phone via their helpline and other virtual formats.  They can also facilitate group work and public presentations that can be tailored to specific community needs. As COVID presents an everchanging environment, they aim to meet community members where they are at. Their services are available in English and Spanish and for additional language needs, they can connect community members with other providers. 

The Manhattan Vet Center will offer a series, Self Care is Not Selfish, that will meet every other Wednesday at the Vet Center.  On Wednesday, Januray 12, 4pm the session will be an open topic.  This series will be facilitated by Najwah Williams, LMSW, Readjustment Counselor.  

For more information, contact Najwah Williams at:

[email protected]

212-951-6866 ext. 5051

The Manhattan Vet Center will offer a series, Self Care is Not Selfish, that will meet every other Wednesday at the Vet Center.  On Wednesday, February 23, 4pm the session will be All About Your Emotions.  This series will be facilitated by Najwah Williams, LMSW, Readjustment Counselor.  

For more information, contact Najwah Williams at:

[email protected]

212-951-6866 ext. 5051