Veteran Jedi Support Group?

Hello, all! I'm still quite new around here but I have been quite active in Chat. I realize that there are quite a few Veterans from around the World here and I wanted to start a dialogue on how we could support each other.

At the college I am a teacher at, we have our own Veteran space, where veterans can help each other, study together or just escape when times are rough. For now I propose this thread but would love to hear any feedback, comments or concerns.

I think it's a great idea. And for now this thread will do it and until the need arises for a different t forum.

What did you wanna talk about?

Well, the first thing was just opening the lines of communication. I really appreciate your response. I think it would be a nice idea to see what veteran resources are out there that we could compile here in the first post as a sort of initial contact guide for those seeking help. Perhaps, phone numbers and websites for Suicide Prevention, PTSD, Veteran's Affairs and Homelessness?

Actually we do happen to "Military Jedi" group. Despite having the symbols for the 5 American services, it is for anyone service member as I recall.
https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/mytotjo/groups/viewgroup/22-military-jedi

Also, I'm Crisis Intervention Peer Support (CIPS) qualified, even have the certification listed on my 214.

Alethea Thompson wrote: Actually we do happen to "Military Jedi" group. Despite having the symbols for the 5 American services, it is for anyone service member as I recall.
https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/mytotjo/groups/viewgroup/22-military-jedi

Thank you so much for the information! Should an active thread be kept here to let people know about it?

Um, its the biggest group here. But feel free to advertise it a little, sure.

Desolous wrote: Um, its the biggest group here. But feel free to advertise it a little, sure.

Something being large in stature but hidden behind three clicks (five if you include logging in) is not a good way to promote. Even then, it is in the middle of a list of other groups. Not everyone has the time to search for things, I have had my own crisis and when you're in that place it is incredibly hard to find useful information.

That is to say, I am glad we have a military group, I think it may be too hard to find during a crisis. The idea of a thread is about accessibility.

I'm not military...

While it is the biggest group, it is not sole purpose of TOTJO... Nor is it our most active, that is actually the Youth, French, Spanish, and possibly Knight groups...

If you were to save that group as a "favorite" in your browser (I have 6-7 TOTJO pages saved there for various 1-click access)

Then:

1. Click login > type credentials> hit enter
2. Click favorite link

Does that help?

Jestor wrote: I'm not military...

While it is the biggest group, it is not sole purpose of TOTJO... Nor is it our most active, that is actually the Youth, French, Spanish, and possibly Knight groups...

If you were to save that group as a "favorite" in your browser (I have 6-7 TOTJO pages saved there for various 1-click access)

Then:

1. Click login > type credentials> hit enter
2. Click favorite link

Does that help?

That certainly helps for those who know it exists. I think my concern for finding the group is for those that may not know it exists. The entire purpose of this thread was a place that those who were veterans who were in crisis could easily find help.

I am very glad we have a Military Group, I just don't think it serves the stated purpose above. If one of the intentions of the Military Group is to do that, then I think we should discuss how to make it better at its mission.

Ah-ha...

Gotcha..

I've stickied this thread...

In this forum, we do have the "hotline" thread, perhaps we can get a thread with veteran specific help information, as well as list the group?

I think that is a great idea. I am going to finish gathering some links, in that we can link to the military group as well.

Full disclosure: I currently work with Medicaid behavioral health recipients, and before ethat for the local mental health association. I also run a couple local support groups. The main reasons i don't do more on that front here are liability related: ie, 'Desolous said this and that and I did that and it didn't work, so I'm suing him and TOTJO'.

Dealing with behavioral health issues is an inherently unpredictable and risky venture. I don't actually know any of you guys in real life, don't know any details, and so can't really offer solid advice on most topics. I can only say what worked for me, which of course might not work for you or anyone else. I am actually loathe to even offer unsolicited advice in the flesh to people I've known a long time, as it could always backfire in any number of ways.

So yes, we can collate links. We can list best practices, like stay on your meds, maintain good sleep hygiene, eat well and exercise. That's all well and good. But when we start to stray into the bounds of online therapy, well, thats getting dangerous.

All that said, as Alethea posted earlier, there are those of us here who are qualified to talk about and offer a bit of advice on the topic at hand. Feel free to PM us if you'd like.

Desolous, that is a super great point and I am glad you said it. I think the genesis of the idea was to just provide the tools someone might need. In that way I think just a bunch of links would be best.

I hope no one thinks I am coming in trying to change things for fun. I just thought about my own challenges and the type my veteran students go through and thought this was a great place to address it. I am very excited to be here and to be a part of it.

Squint,

I don't' think anyone is making that mistake. Good initiative on your part, brother.

Okay, here is my proposed information for the top post, would love any feedback at all:

Helpful Numbers
Department of Veterans AffairsNational Coalition for Homeless Veterans 1-800-838-4357 (1-800-VET-HELP)
Benefits 1-800-827-1000
Medical Centers 1-800-827-1000
Persian Gulf War Helpline 1-800-749-8387
Locate the closest VMAC or VA Regional Office 1-877-222-8387


Focus on Recovery Helpline (alcohol/drugs) 1-800-374-2800 or 1-800-234-1253
National Aids Hotline 1-800-342-2437
National Crisis Hotline 1-800-784-2433
National Suicide Support Number 1-888-784-2433 (1-888-SUICIDE)
Travelers Aid International 1-202-546-1127
Department of Health & Human Services Drug & Alcohol Treatment
Referral Routing Service 1800-662-4357
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill 1-800-950-6264
National Mental Health Association 1-800-969-NMHA
Food Stamps Information Line 1-800-221-5689
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Information Line 1-800-772-1213
Women in Community Service (WICS) Location information line 1-800-442-9427
National Personnel Records Center fax line (to obtain DD214) 1-314-801-9201

TOTJO Temple Crisis Hotline Thread
https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/forum/Health-physical-fitness-and-wellbeing/83137-temple-crisis-hotline

TOTJO Military Group
https://www.templeofthejediorder.org/mytotjo/groups/viewgroup/22-military-jedi

Looks good to me! Great work!

I would also add a few best practices notes, like sleep hygiene, eat right and exercise, etc. But otherwise great!

Did read it for something else
[edit]

Sign me up please. I am a decorated combat veteran and disabled in a combat zone. At times I need support, at other times I can give it.

Sulabri wrote: Sign me up please. I am a decorated combat veteran and disabled in a combat zone. At times I need support, at other times I can give it.

Same here