Center for Women Veterans SWAN Mental Wellness Summit November, - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Center for Women Veterans SWAN Mental Wellness Summit November, 2017 Kayla M. Williams, Director 10/27/2017 1

Overview  Center for Women Veterans  Trends  Resources  Initiatives 2

Center for Women Veterans  In 1994, Public Law 103-446 required VA to create the Center for Women Veterans  Mandated functions include advising (internally and externally) on policies, programs, and laws related to women Veterans; disseminating information; and supporting the independent VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans 3

Center for Women Veterans Mission  Monitor and coordinate VA’s administration of health care and benefits services, and programs for women Veterans  Serve as an advocate for a cultural transformation (both within VA and in the general public) in recognizing the service and contributions of women Veterans and women in the military  Raise awareness of the responsibility to treat women Veterans with dignity and respect 4

Why Focus on Women Veterans? 5

Trends for Women Veterans: Growth Growth  Population  Identification  Use of VA care and benefits 6

Encouraging Trends for Women Veterans Encouraging  Education  Employment  Entrepreneurship  Civic engagement 7

Concerning Trends for Women Veterans Concerning  Access  Homelessness  Aging  Suicide 8

Suicide Prevention The suicide rate among women Veterans… • increased to a greater degree (62.4%) than the suicide rate among male Veterans (29.7%) • decreased by 2.6% for those women Veterans using VHA services • is roughly 2.5 times higher than the rate among civilian adult women in the United States • may be partly explained by increased likelihood of using more lethal means (firearms) 9

Some VA Resources  Veterans Crisis Line  Free gun locks  Telemental health services  Free mobile apps  Vet Centers  Make the Connection  Online PTSD Treatment Decision Aid  National Women’s Mental Health Mini-Residency  Women Veterans Call Center  Whole Health initiatives 10

Ongoing VA Cultural Transformation Efforts http://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/outreachmaterials/posters.asp

Women Veterans Art Exhibit In collaboration with nonprofit partner VAP, VA exhibited 10 posters featuring art by women Veterans – along with their photos and stories – in 10 VA Medical Centers nationwide in March; it’s now travelling . By displaying art by women Veterans, we can raise awareness among others of their service and sacrifice – while also making women Veterans feel more welcome and recognized by seeing themselves prominently featured.

“I Am Not Invisible” in DC!

National WV Summit Cyberseminars

CWV Website & Email Updates http://www.va.gov/womenvet/

How to Contact the Center Staff Members  Kayla M. Williams, Director  Betty Moseley Brown, Associate Director  Desiree Long  Shannon Middleton  Michelle Terry Contact Address Phone: 202-461-6193 Department of Veterans Affairs Fax: 202-273-7092 Center for Women Veterans (00W) Website: www.va.gov/womenvet 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Email: 00W@mail.va.gov Washington, DC 20420 16