October 29, 2020
A new video series is available to help raise awareness of the no cost support line available right now at 866-4AZ-VETS to any Arizona service member, veteran or family. The videos were created to encourage anyone struggling during this difficult time to reach out and call someone they feel they already know through watching the videos.
Services offered through the support line include connection to resources statewide for employment, housing, finances, health and mental wellness services- among many others.
“We are here to provide that extra support we know veterans and their families need right now. We know what it can be like experiencing extra stress, unexpected bills and even day-to-day issues around the house during deployments because many of us answering the support line also have a personal connection to military life.”
– Chessa Emmons, military spouse and Be Connected team member
The support line is a program offered by the Arizona Coalition for Military Families in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family, the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and a statewide coalition of partners.
“Arizona’s Be Connected program is a national leader in providing a unified approach statewide to supporting service members, veterans and their families. Our network of specially trained personnel based across Arizona provide personalized, live consultations to help tackle the challenges that, if left unchecked, may manifest into circumstances that could lead to suicide. More than anything, we want service members, veterans and their families to have their burdens eased far in advance of them feeling desperate and overwhelmed. Thanks to the over 500 Be Connected Partner Organizations united in this mission, we are seeing that happen daily.”
-Thomas Winkel, founder and Director of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families
“Working together as a community, we can prevent suicide by working together to identify, address and eliminate stressors early, before someone feels hopeless and may begin to believe suicide is a way to resolve the situation. We welcome calls from any Arizonan who wants to help, and especially from our military and veteran community, during this difficult time when so many of our neighbors are understandably under considerably more stress.”
– Thomas Winkel, Director, Arizona Coalition for Military Families
To view the videos, visit the Be Connected YouTube channel. To speak to a local, Arizona-based specialist dedicated to finding personalized solutions, call the Be Connected support line at 866-4AZ-VETS (866-429-8387).
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About the Be Connected® Program
Be Connected links Arizona service members, veterans, families and community helpers to information, support and resources. Be Connected includes a support line, resource matching website, statewide team of community-based navigators and training for everyone. Launched with the help, support and guidance of the late Senator John McCain, and now operated in partnership by the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, Arizona Office of the Governor, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Be Connected is available to any member of the military, veteran, family member or community helper by calling 1-866-4AZ-VETS (429-8387) for help and support. Organizations that want to support and join our efforts should begin by completing a pre-application. For more information, to find support and learn more, visit www.BeConnectedAZ.org.
