WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks will host a mental health summit for veterans titled “Building the Bridge” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 10, in the Perkins Student Center on campus. The summit will be presented by the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center as part of its 2019 Behavioral Health and Sciences Series. This event is free and open to all veterans.
“Building the Bridge” recognizes that veteran-centered, recovery-oriented care requires both active and ongoing cooperation with veterans, family members, caregivers, community providers and VA providers. Topics will include:
- Transition from uniformed services to civilian life.
- Substance use and abuse.
- Suicide prevention.
- Serving the whole veteran.
In addition to the presentation, there will be collaborative discussion and roundtable sessions to further develop, strengthen and sustain working relationships.
For more information, contact Christine Brubaker at [email protected]. Attendees must register in advance.
About Penn State Berks
Currently, approximately 150 veterans and dependents are enrolled at Penn State Berks. The Office of Veteran Affairs on campus offers support to help with the transition from military life to the college environment, and assistance with making the transition from college to the workforce. The Office of Veteran Affairs also offers peer mentoring, VA certifying officials, college credit for military experience, a Student Veterans of America–Penn State Berks Chapter, veterans and dependents information workshops, and priority registration.
The Student Veterans of America–Penn State Berks Chapter received a $10,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation and Student Veterans of America (SVA) for its veterans center on campus, as part of their Vet Center Initiative. The grant was used to renovate space in the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building and turn it into a new student veteran center on campus. The lounge is a place where student veterans can go between or after classes to study, eat lunch, socialize with other veterans, and learn about things like the GI Bill and VA benefits and health care.
Penn State has a longstanding and proud tradition of serving the men and women of our military through education benefits, resources, support and more. This year's Military Appreciation Week from Nov. 8 to 16 will honor America's "Greatest Generation" with a weeklong series of events, including a football game, Veteran’s Day ceremony, speaker series and more. Visit militaryappreciation.psu.edu to learn more.