COVID-19: Resources for Veterans

The Veterans Administration has put out some helpful advice that we wanted to pass along to our Veterans of Steel.

Coronavirus FAQs: What Veterans Need to Know

For a list of frequently asked questions regarding VA health appointments, click here.

Mental Health Resources

This VA blog points out that more than ever, all Americans, including Veterans, must pay attention to our emotional well-being and the well-being of those we love as we cope with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This isn’t an option – it’s a necessity. Just as washing our hands, disinfecting surfaces and maintaining physical distance is required to minimize the impact of this pandemic, so too is caring for our mental health and the mental health of those around us. In response to this emergency, we need a fundamental shift in how we promote and maintain our mental health," the VA wrote. Click here to read the entire article.

If you are a veteran in crisis or know a veteran in crisis:

Dial 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 to talk to someone.
Or: Send a text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder.
Or: Visit www.VeteransCrisisLine.net for additional resources.
Veterans who experienced military sexual trauma can find additional resources here.

Help with unemployment

According to a newly released report from the Bob Woodruff Foundation 14% of veterans are working in the most at-risk industries facing lay-offs. The report detailed five industries, but the UVC believes there is an even greater risk. Unions representing workers are seeing massive lay-offs as a result of the virus. In some cases, whole construction industries are going from 100% employment to 80% unemployment overnight.

"When we're talking about laying off, furloughing, and firing hundreds of thousands of veteran workers, we need to recognize that this will undoubtedly cause a serious mental health crisis and potentially an uptick in veteran suicide." Will Attig, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO, went on to say, "I believe the veteran's community has dark days ahead, but we must do what we can to support every veteran worker."

Click here for the AFL-CIO's state-by-state guide to help during job loss.

Click here for harship help information from UnionPlus for those using UnionPlus products like mortgage, credit card and more.

And click here for other COVID-19 resources for workers from the AFL-CIO.