Mental Health Notes - News, Education and Advocacy

IAVA And The Ad Council Partner Up To Help Veterans

by Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes on November 26th, 2008

Ah, man, if this doesn’t bring a tear to your eye…

I recently found out the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and the Ad Council partnered together to launch that PSA to inform veterans about - and encourage them to join - Community of Veterans. Community of Veterans aims to provide an online community for veterans where they can support each other during the aftermath of war.

According to the site, Community of Veterans is:

[...] designed as a resource to our nation’s newest Veterans. Comprising less than 1 percent of the population, Veterans face a myriad of challenges while feeling isolated and cut off from those to whom they can best relate – other Veterans. While addressing a range of topics, this site is ultimately a point of connection where Veterans are helping Veterans.

I’m told this online community is the first ever of its kind, and I’m honestly surprised it didn’t happen sooner.

Later this month, the IAVA is also launching Support Your Vet, which will act much the same way as Community of Veterans, but for the families and friends of veterans.

I think these are both fantastic ideas, and I sincerely hope our veterans, and their family members and loved ones, will greatly benefit from interacting with and finding support from others who know what they’re going through.

If you’re an Iraq or Afghanistan veteran, or know someone who is, check out these communities and spread the word!

In the meantime, visit these posts for more veteran-related information:

• Get In On The Discussion: Veterans And PTSD
• Help Veterans Obtain Mental Health Resources
• Grief And Support Resources For Military Widows, Family Members, and Loved Ones
• Help Ease The Mental Burden Of An American Veteran
• Do You Need To Be Brainless To Survive The Military?
• American Troops’ Mental Health

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POSTED IN: Resources