An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 27, 2019

VA, Guard partner for on-site training weekend counseling 

By National Guard Bureau

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense formalized a partnership June 28 between VA's Vet Centers and the National Guard Bureau, to provide Vet Center counseling, outreach staff and other services to members during training or drill weekends.

"This relationship between VA and the National Guard further advances the department's efforts to decrease service member and Veteran suicide," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. "Vet Center staff will provide counseling and referral to those who may be under stress and at risk for self-harm."

VA's 300 Vet Centers, 80 Mobile Vet Centers and a 24/7 call center provide community-based counseling for a wide range of social and psychological services, including confidential readjustment counseling and outreach and referral to eligible Veterans, active duty, and National Guard and Reserve members and their families.

Vet Center counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are Veterans themselves, are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief and transition after trauma.

Suicide prevention is a top priority for the National Guard, which experienced the highest rate of suicide among military components in 2017. Since then, VA has seen a 38% increase in National Guard service members seeking Vet Center services.*

"This is an important and historic day for the National Guard and Veterans Affairs," said Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau. "This partnership will increase our ability to offer access to services to our Guard Soldiers and Airmen and their families who live in remote locations. Ultimately, this partnership will positively impact the readiness of our force."

Suicides across the Guard have dropped to the lowest point than they have been in the past five years when comparing annual data from January to August. NGB is carefully examining the information to determine whether a direct correlation exists between the reduction of suicides so far in 2019, and this type of strategic engagement.

Nearly 300,000 Veterans and active-duty service members received Vet Center services in 2018.

To find out more about Vet Centers, or to locate a nearby Vet Center, visit www.vetcenter.va.gov.

*Data was pulled from October 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018, and compared with data from October 1, 2018, to July 31, 2019.

 

 

Related Articles
Crew chiefs assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard, and Airmen assigned to the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, escort simulated casualty patients to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a joint training exercise at the Glenwood Training Area in Oklahoma City, Jan. 28, 2025. During the exercise, combat medics from the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, practiced patient stabilization, MEDEVAC calls and loading procedures while coordinating with the OKARNG pilots conducting helicopter insertions in austere environments.
Oklahoma Guard, Air Force Conduct Joint MEDEVAC Training
By Cpl. Danielle Rayon, | Feb. 5, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY - Airmen from the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, teamed up with Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop Command for a joint...

Alaska Army National Guard Col. Michele Edwards and Command Sgt. Maj. Russel Throckmorton, the commander and command sergeant major of the 297th Regional Support Group, case the unit colors during a deployment ceremony at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Jan. 24, 2025. The Alaska Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 297th RSG, will deploy approximately 80 Guardsmen on a nine-month mission to Eastern Europe to support U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce.
Alaska Guard Deploys to Eastern Europe to Support NATO Allies
By Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount, | Feb. 4, 2025
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - The Alaska Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 297th Regional Support Group, will deploy about 80 Guardsmen to Eastern Europe for nine months to support the...

The Nevada Air National Guard's High Rollers arrive in Antarctica Dec. 18, 2024, to support the annual U.S. military mission in Antarctica. They flew augmented max duty day missions, logging over 30 hours in three days.
Nevada Guard Airlift Wing Assists with Operation Deep Freeze
By Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber, | Feb. 4, 2025
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - The 152nd Airlift Wing “High Rollers” from the Nevada Air National Guard achieved a historic first by participating in Operation Deep Freeze.The High Rollers supported the annual U.S. military...