PROMOTE CONNECTEDNESS AND IMPROVE CARE CONNECTIONS
Operation Green Light
When a Veteran comes home to begin their new life as a civilian, New York is committed to being there at every turn of their new journey. This commitment stands at the center of Operation Green Light, a brand-new initiative led by the NYS County Veteran Service Officers' Association, the New York State Association of Counties, the New York State County Executives Association, the State of New York, and the 62 counties of New York State. Its mission is to show support for veterans of all military conflicts, with a special emphasis on the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as raise awareness about the challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist veterans and their families.
Individuals can participate by simply changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends. By shining a green light, you let Veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. Be sure to share your participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenlight! Operation Green Light also is a supporter of other vital efforts to promote connectivity and facilitate care transitions in New York State, including the ETS Sponsorship Program.
Link: Phase 1: Operation Green Light
Link: Phase 2: Operation Green Light
The ETS Sponsorship Program
Transitioning from the military to civilian life is exciting, but it can also be challenging as service members lose the benefits of military leadership, camaraderie, support, and structure. But thanks to the Expiration Term of Service (ETS) Sponsorship Program and its public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), service members exiting the military don’t need to do it alone.
Unlike other changes throughout their service, when service members leave the military, whether through an ETS or retirement, there is no individual assigned to assist in their transition into the civilian world. The change can lead to increased stressors, a decreased sense of purpose and an elevated risk for suicide and other mental health concerns when service members rejoin the civilian community.
In response, VA has collaborated closely with the U.S. Department of Defense, private and nonprofit organizations, and state and local governments to support the ETS Sponsorship Program to provide service members additional assistance in their post-military hometown to make the adjustment to civilian life successful. The program trains sponsors to maximize the potential and skills that service members bring from their military experience to positively impact the next chapter of their lives.
Link: ETS Sponsorship Program Website
Together With Veterans
Together With Veterans (TWV) is a community-based program that partners rural Veterans and community agencies to prevent Veteran suicide in their communities. By joining forces as one team, both the Veterans and the community partners gain a better understanding of how to most effectively reach Veterans at risk.
The Together With Veterans Suicide Prevention Strategies above are implemented using a five-phase process to support rural communities in developing a local Veteran suicide prevention action plan.
- Phase 1: Build Your Team
- Phase 2: Learn About Your Community
- Phase 3: Teach Your Team
- Phase 4: Plan For Action
- Phase 5: Follow Your Plan and Measure Results
Link: Together With Veterans Program Website
Link: Community Implementation Toolkit
Educational Links
Office of Mental Health's Spotlight Series
- Spotlight on: Veterans
OMH’s Spotlight series highlights the challenges faced by different New York populations.We recognize the unique issues surrounding Veterans and invite you to learn more.
Webinars and Training (on-demand)
- MIRECC2/CoE - VISN2 - Webinar Series
This series of online webinars is aimed at Physicians, Social Workers, Counselors, and Psychologists. Below is a selection of past webinars:- Understanding Transitioning Veterans & Service Members: What is Transitional Stress?
- Integrating Existing Supports to Manage Veteran Suicide Risk
- Novel Approaches to Suicide Prevention for Veterans
- Lethal Means Restriction & Suicide Risk Management
- Treatment Resistant Depression: How to Diagnosis it and What to do About it
- Promoting Connectedness to Manage Veteran Suicide Risk
- Recognizing Veteran Suicide Risk
- Integrating Existing Supports to Manage Veteran Suicide Risk
- PSYCH/ARMOR Suicide in Military Members & Veterans Clinical Understanding, Prevention, and Intervention
- MIRECC2/CoE - VISN2 Keeping Veterans Engaged in Treatment: A Veteran Cultural Competence Approach
Scientific Research
- The modern-day Odysseus: How mental health providers can better reintegrate modern warriors and mitigate suicide risk
Geraci, J., Murray, C., Kapil-Pair, K. N., Herrera, S., Sokol, Y., Cary, J., Landa, Y., & Goodman, M. (2020). Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(5), 878-895. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22923 - Expanded roles and recommendations for stakeholders to successfully reintegrate modern warriors and mitigate suicide risk.
Geraci, J. C., Mobbs, M., Edwards, E. R., Doerries, B., Armstrong, N., Porcarelli, R., Duffy, E.,
Loos, C. M., Kilby, D., Juanamarga, J., Cantor, G., Sutton, L., Sokol, Y., & Goodman, M. (2020).
Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01907 - Addressing suicide in the veteran population: Engaging a public health approach.
Carroll, D., Kearney, L. K., & Miller, M. A. (2020). Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.569069 - The IVMF research and analytics team is a trusted national resource for expertise, data and insights, and cultural competence in serving veterans and their families.