“Courage to Call” Now Available to Provide Support for Local Veterans, Active Duty Military, and their Loved Ones.

Collaboration provides peer support for those who have served our country, and their families.

(March 16, 2010) – San Diego, Calif. – Courage to Call is a new San Diego-based program that provides supportive guidance and information & referral services to veterans, active duty military, reservists, National Guardsmen and their families. Operated by Mental Health Systems, Inc. in collaboration with Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD) and Mental Health America of San Diego County, it also offers training to organizations and providers seeking to improve their awareness and understanding of military and military family culture.

“Courage to Call is unique in that it is staffed entirely by peers who have been in the military or who are military family members,” said Kimberly Bond, president of Mental Health Systems. “These staff have firsthand knowledge of the rigors of the military and military family life to better assist our clients.”

“All too often, family members and loved ones of those who’ve served are the first to notice something may not be right, but do not know what to do. Loved ones are the frontline of support. They see problems cropping up early when they are most likely to be prevented. Courage to Call gives callers an understanding person to talk to 24/7”, said Bond. Everyone is encouraged to share the Courage to Call number, (877) MyUSVet, with friends, family, coworkers and associates.

Courage to Call offers around-the-clock guidance to help veterans and loved ones get the help they need.  The program helps clients to connect with services that will enable them to develop coping skills, improve communication, decrease anxiety or depression, overcome substance abuse, build healthy relationships and adjust to life after the military.

“We all need to maintain positive connections to feel a part of our communities and families”, said Matthew Camp, a twenty-four year old former Marine who is employed as an Outreach Coordinator for Mental Health America of San Diego County. “These positive connections are what Courage to Call, a peer to peer program, will create. Years of research have shown that individuals who feel valued and cared for are better equipped to deal with stress and adversity and even experience less severe illnesses than those with little social support.”

Statistics concerning returning veterans indicates that services offered by Courage to Call are very timely. “It’s estimated that each night more than 3,000 military veterans in San Diego County sleep on the streets because they are homeless”, said VVSD President and CEO Phil Landis. “In order to end veteran homelessness, we must first prevent it. Courage to Call fills a need in the community to help veterans and active military to feel at home again.” According to the VA San Diego Healthcare System 2009 Annual Report, the number of Veterans served in FY 2009 grew by 7.5 percent. Of the 64,000 served, more than 19,000 were enrolled in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.

The program is open to anyone who has served in a branch of the military—regardless of discharge status—and their families. Organizations, agencies and providers are also encouraged to call for education about awareness and understanding of military family culture. Call (877) MyUSVet (877-698-7838) at anytime.

Courage to Call is funded by County of San Diego Mental Health Services, under the California Mental Health Services Act/Prevention and Early Intervention.

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About Mental Health Systems, Inc.
Mental Health Systems, Inc. (MHS) began in 1978 by providing psychiatric day treatment and alcohol recovery services to adults in North San Diego County. Today MHS operates more than 90 community-based mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation programs throughout California and in Utah.

Using best-practices to develop treatment protocols, MHS programs are designed to serve the needs of those individuals with behavioral health problems who either cannot afford privately paid services or for whom appropriate services are not otherwise available. These services are publicly funded and aid the neediest segments of the population.

About Veterans Village of San Diego
Veterans Village of San Diego is a non profit 501(C)(3) organization that has served all veterans since 1981, and vows to "Leave No One Behind." In the battlefield, when a soldier "goes down outside the wire" their buddies will do everything they can to save them.

VVSD does the same for its veterans, doing what they can to get them off the streets and back to a safe and stable environment; giving them the treatment and care they need and deserve. With five locations throughout San Diego County, VVSD is the only program of its kind in the United States and is nationally recognized as the leader in serving homeless military veterans. Each year VVSD provides services to more than 2,000 military veterans throughout the County of San Diego.

About Mental Health America of San Diego County
Mental Health America of San Diego County is the county's oldest nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. As part of a national organization with more than 300 affiliates nationwide, MHA represents a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation - everyday and in times of crisis.