“Given the clientele that I serve, I can never not know enough and have enough tools to better serve them in relaying our shared experiences, so that’s why I’m here today.”
Matthew Urhammer, a veteran himself, leads the veterans services program at Peckham, a nonprofit that provides job training for people with disabilities. He explains how Hope Network’s mental health first aid program helps him in his work with veterans.
“They feel that they have a supportive environment and they have individuals that they feel are there in their corner and offer non-judgmental listening, and just offer a supportive environment for them to work in.”
The pilot program is part of a statewide initiative to educate participants with recognizing the signs of mental health or substance abuse challenges among veterans.
“The goal is to just get folks informed in their communities on how to assist veterans’ families with mental health challenges and what to do when folks are up against suicide.”
Erika Hoover is the mental health suicide prevention manager at the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
“The VA just put out a new suicide prevention report recently, so there’s that 22 a day, it’s actually, they say is 17 a day now. I mean, one is too many.”
Hope Network will host three more classes during the month of January across the state. Veterans and their families needing assistance can call 1-800-MICH-VET or dial 988 if you or someone you know is in crisis.
