Retired Army General to discuss mental health recovery at Hines VA summit
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital will host a virtual mental health summit for veterans, family and community members from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, including a guided discussion with retired Army Maj. Gen. Gregg F. Martin.
Martin is an Iraq War veteran and the former president of the National Defense University. In 2014, Martin was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He will share his experiences living with bipolar disorder and his mental health recovery.
"Maj. Gen. Martin has worked tirelessly to help break down the stigma that can be an obstacle for many in seeking mental health care," said Dr. Megan Mayberry, Hines VA clinical psychologist and local recovery coordinator. We encourage Veterans of all generations and conflicts to seek support, connect with VA, and prioritize their mental health."
The summit, called Finding Meaning and Purpose in Mental Health Recovery, will also feature discussions with Department of Veterans Affairs providers, and area veterans and supporters.
No registration is required. To attend virtually, visit bit.ly/3APatGv.
Veteran mental health and suicide prevention is a central priority for VA. According to VA's National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), 27% of veterans in VA health care have been diagnosed with PTSD. More than two in 10 veterans with PTSD also experience substance abuse disorder.
Nationally, the Veterans Crisis Line received more than 88,000 calls, texts and chats in March 2023. This is 28% higher than the first ten months of the pandemic and 15% higher than a spike following the August 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Veterans seeking mental health support can call Hines VA's Mental Health service at (708) 202-2803 or Visit Hines VA Hospital, 500 S. Fifth Ave., Hines, IL 60141. Veterans can also contact the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and press 1, or texting 838255. As of Jan. 17, Veterans can go to a VA or non-VA emergency room or crisis residential care for free emergent suicidal care under the COMPACT Act.
"One veteran in crisis is one too many," said James Doelling, Hines VA director. "We implore any veteran in need to seek help. Support is here for you."
About Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital, located 12 miles west of downtown Chicago on a 147-acre campus, offers primary, extended and specialty care to Veteran patients in the Chicago area. We are the largest VA in the state of Illinois, where more than a million Veterans reside. The hospital treats Veterans from World War II through the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.