CCTP: Mental Health Services and Referrals

This free interactive training is co-sponsored by the National VA Chaplain Center and Faith Chapel.

Seats are limited, so please REGISTER to RESERVE your seat now. There is an afternoon and evening slot available for this training, so be sure to pick the time that fits your schedule!  The facilitator for this training, Chaplain James Patterson, can be reached at james.patterson8@va.gov.

Many Veterans and their family members seek help for their problems from clergy because they feel the faith community can provide anonymity, confidentiality and a stigma-free environment. Yet clergy members sometimes have limited knowledge about readjustment difficulties and the unique health issues such as post-traumatic stress, or depression common to returning warriors. This event can help prepare you to support them.

 The Community Training Partner Initiative offers critical resource to educate and support the faith community.  

Training Objectives

• To review national trends in mental health care.

• To review resources for mental health care available in rural locations.

• To provide specific information on making referrals to VA mental health care and community mental health.

• To review the potential for congregations to be communities that support re-integration of Veterans back into their rural settings.

• To describe some successful community efforts in helping Veterans to integrate back into their communities.

• To provide knowledge that improves the ability to identify ministry opportunities for Veterans in your community.

  Learn more about this program on the VA Community Clergy Training Program website or email shane.russell@va.gov.