Mental Health Awareness and Resources, RAO Bulletin, Vets Prevail Free Anonymous Online Counseling, DES Veterans Services, Health Care Careers

May’s Mental Health Awareness month has yielded some updated resource guides for communities.  Here is an article about a Verde Valley guide: http://www.sedona.biz/verde-valley-news/coalition-announces-mental-health-resources-guide/ The 32-page guide for the Verde Valley is a link on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) organization’s website at: http://www.nami-sedona.org/

According to the RAO Bulletin, a program offering anonymous online counseling to Veterans has attracted many Veterans who preferred this option to utilizing VA mental health services.  “The Vets Prevail program, launched in 2012, provides self-assessments, treatment walk-throughs and peer counseling without requiring veterans to identify themselves,” according to a Military Times article.  See the full article at: http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140414/NEWS/304140047/Anonymous-online-counseling-vets-shows-early-success This free anonymous counseling service is at: https://www.vetsprevail.org/

Veterans' Issues: There are a lot of sources for Veteran-related news on the Internet, one of my favorites is the Retiree Assistance Office (RAO) Bulletin referenced above, because it is clear, organized by topic, and thorough.  If you are interested in receiving the Bulletin in your e-mail, here are the instructions: “To subscribe first add the RAO email addee raoemo@sbcglobal.net   to your address book and/or white list. Then send your full name plus either the post/branch/chapter number of the fraternal military/government organization you are currently affiliated with (if any) “AND/OR” the city and state/country you reside in so your address can be properly positioned in the directory for future recovery. Subscription is open to all veterans, dependents, military/veteran support organizations, and media.”  Bulletins come out twice a month.

Looking for a Job?  Did you know that the Arizona Department of Economic Security has special services for Veterans?  “The primary objective of the Veterans Program is to develop and support programs that increase opportunities for veterans to obtain employment and job training in Arizona. Eligible veterans are entitled to receive priority services in job referrals and training by DES staff, as well as other employment-related services.”  See more at: https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=258&id=2194

Career Highlight: Are you interested in a health care related field?  There are plenty of programs at Yavapai College, with free workshops to help you learn more about the options.  Nursing, Radiologic Technology, and several Allied Health certificates and degrees are offered.  For a full list of health and science-related programs, see: http://www.yc.edu/v5content/academics/divisions/sciences-and-health/default.htm