The Veterans Mental Health Advisory Councils has the unique and challenging task of building, maintaining, promoting, and facilitating recovery-oriented practice, serving as Recovery Champions and consultants to other Veterans, their families, and all levels of the mental health care system. The purpose of the Council is to provide a forum for members to express their views and opinions, without fear of reprisal, regarding VA mental health services, and to assure that all Veterans have access to the highest quality of these services available to them, both at the Department of Veterans Affairs and within the community, enabling them to achieve their greatest degree of independence.
Please see the following list of events that the Council has planned for FY, 2018. The following events will be held at the DC VAMC, located at 50 Irving Street, NW Washington, DC 20422.
The Winterhaven Homeless Stand Down will be held on January 27, 2018 from 9 am to 3 pm. This is an annual event at the DC VAMC, which addresses the needs of homeless Veterans and will provide them with health assessments and on-site basic medical care.
Random Acts of Kindness Day will be held on February 14, 2018 from 9 am to 1 pm. The VMHAC will have a table set-up in the Atrium. The Council will recognize Veterans and staff who perform random acts of kindness throughout the DC VAMC and the community.
The Certified Mental Health First Aid Training Course will be held on March 29, 2018 from 8 am to 4:30 pm. This is a great tool for Veterans and others to assist and help Veteran or anyone who may be facing a mental health crisis. The certification is good for 3 years.
Military Sexual Trauma Summit will be held on April 18, 2018 from 8 am to 4 pm. This will be the council’s first military sexual trauma summit. The Council will have a host of mental health advisors who will share and encourage Veterans and their families as to the availability of mental health services.
The following event will be held at George Washington University located at 2121 I Street NW, Washington DC 20052.
Mental Health and Information Fair. The date is to be determined; however, the event will be in May 2018, Mental Health Awareness Month or June 2018, PTSD Awareness Month. This event will focus on Mental Illness, Wellness, Nutrition, Employment, Finance and more. There also will be a Keynote Speaker and Workshops for this event.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the Council at (202)-745-8000, extension 58641. We thank you for your interest in the Council’s planned events and look forward to working with you to improve our Veterans’ overall health and care.