November is National Family Caregivers Month
November is a time to support Veterans and their Caregivers. This month, Lock and Talk Virginia is recognizing National Family Caregivers Month and working to increase awareness and resources to service members, veterans, and their families. We are excited to share information and resources throughout November to promote positive, supportive conversations about mental wellness and suicide prevention in our communities.
Join the Lock and Talk National Family Caregivers Month Campaign:
- Share the Lock and Talk Media Release with valuable resources to help bring awareness to the month, share important trainings, and provide valuable resources to your community.
- Post one of the Lock and Talk Key Messages to your social media platforms using the Lock and Talk Social Media Toolkit. Be sure to also include and share your local community resources.
- Listen to and share the Lock and Talk National Family Caregivers Month Awareness Radio Ad.
As we honor military veterans on November 11th, National Family Caregivers Month in November also allows us to recognize the contributions of the 5.5 million caregivers who are supporting veterans that are experiencing disabilities, mental health challenges, or life stressors stemming from their time in service.
In 2018, 3.7 million veterans reported having a mental wellness issue or substance use disorder, and currently, 2.4 million veterans receive assistance from caregivers.
Caregivers of military families report struggling with mental wellness at a higher rate than non-caregivers and are at a higher risk of developing depression or anxiety.
Important resources to reference and share throughout the month include:
- Military Cultural Competency and Transition Awareness: Working with Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.
Wednesday, November 10th, 2021 from 10 AM to 12 PM.
Click here to register.
- Virtual Zoom Presentation: The Intricacies of Caring for the Veteran Population.
Wednesday, November 17th, 2021 from 10 AM to 12 PM.
Click here to register.
- Lock and Talk Service Member, Veteran and their Family Resources
- VA Caregiver Support Coordinator in Virginia
- VA Caregiver Support resources
- Call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, contact National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and Press 1 or text "Hello" to the Veterans Crisis Textline: 838255
- Military OneSource
- Virginia Community Services Boards (CSBs)
A caregiver can be a parent, spouse, child, family member, or an individual who lives with the veteran. If you are a caregiver, with the right tools and resources, you can provide the proper care, while also taking care of yourself.
Join the talk about mental wellness today.
Social Media Kit
For Virginia CSBs and community partners
You may share these posts on your own social media platforms or simply share them from the Lock and Talk Virginia Facebook and Instagram pages.
Key messages to share throughout the month:
Family Caregivers Month is a time to recognize the contributions of caregivers and to provide them with the tools that they need while continuing to advocate for mental wellness.
As caregivers who support military families and veterans, it is important that they take care of their own mental health too.
Join the talk about mental wellness. Learn how to help yourself or loved ones by visiting lockandtalk.org/VACares
As we honor our veterans in November, we also honor the 5.5 million caregivers who care for veterans that experience disabilities, mental health challenges, or life stressors stemming from their time in service.
More than 2.4 million veterans receive assistance from caregivers every year. A caregiver can be a parent, spouse, child, family member, or an individual who lives with the veteran.
If you are a caregiver, with the right tools and resources, you can provide the proper care, while also taking care of yourself.
Join the talk about mental wellness by visiting lockandtalk.org/VACares
VA’s Caregiver Support Program (CSP) website offers tips, tools, and other information and services to family members and friends who care for Veterans.
CSP resources include online courses, in-person classes, telephone support, and peer support. Among CSP resources are caregiver self-care courses: in-person training sessions that focus on supporting and meeting the needs of caregivers. Topics include managing stress, problem-solving and effective communication, taking care of yourself, and using technology.
CSP also provides a Caregiver Support Line to connect caregivers with VA services and local support.
To access self-care courses and other resources for caregivers of Veterans of all service eras, or to connect with a Caregiver Support Coordinator, visit www.caregiver.va.gov or call VA’s Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.
As caregivers of military families, Military OneSource is available 24/7 to information, answers and support to help you reach your goals, overcome challenges and thrive.
Military OneSource for tax services, spouse employment help, webinars and online training, relocation and deployment tools, and much more.
Learn more about ways Military OneSource serves military families by visiting this page
Join the talk about mental wellness today and learn more about vital resources for caregivers at lockandtalk.org/VACares
For caregivers of military families, we know the stress of managing responsibilities, tasks, and other needs may take a toll — physically, emotionally, and mentally.
With the number of roles and responsibilities caregivers take on, it can be difficult to care for one’s own well-being.
Knowing how and when to seek support can be challenging, and life events, careers, families, and other stressors can distract caregivers from seeking care. It is important to know available resources in your area, identify helpful self-care strategies, and identify a support network to help you through those tough times.
Visit lockandtalk.org/VACares to learn more about important resources in your community and connect to help today.