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Lauren Itzkowitz
litzkowitz@giveanhour.org
(240) 533-1669
First Lady Michelle Obama Announces Give an Hour’s Partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to Promote the Campaign to Change Direction on Mental Health
Washington D.C. (May 22 2015) – Give an Hour™ a national nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to our nation's military and veteran community and the lead organization behind the Campaign to Change Direction a collective impact effort to change the culture of mental health in America announces a partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.
Through this partnership Give an Hour along with Easter Seals will create webinars to educate caregivers about five key signs of emotional suffering identified by the Campaign to Change Direction as potential indications that they or someone they love might be in need of support or services.
First Lady Michelle Obama spoke Wednesday in Washington D.C. at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Hidden Heroes Coalition Summit to honor America’s 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers. Mrs. Obama underscored the important work that military caregivers do saying caregivers often deal with mental health challenges marriage strains and job instability sometimes with little support from friends and family who don't understand the unique challenges they face.
In her remarks Mrs. Obama spoke to the caregivers in the audience: “You love your warrior with all your heart and you’re proud to help them recover. But as the days become months and the months become years the constant giving and giving and giving can become its own heavy weight.” She pointed to a RAND study that Senator Dole commissioned last year which showed these emotional lows are not uncommon and military caregivers are more likely than the general population to face mental health challenges like depression.
“Our Foundation looks forward to what we can accomplish for America’s military and veteran caregivers through our partnership with Give an Hour” said Senator Elizabeth Dole. “Give an Hour is one of nation’s best mental health resources for our military community because they have taken the time to understand the unique and complex emotional challenges faced by those who have gone to war and those who care for them when they come home. Thanks to Give an Hour mental health professionals will be better prepared to provide counsel and support to our hidden heroes.”
In addition to webinars the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Give an Hour are also committing to training faith leaders on the Campaign to Change Direction’s five signs. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellows will offer expertise and training to Give an Hour’s community-based volunteer providers to ensure cultural sensitivity and awareness.
“Our country is generally supportive of service members veterans and their families. But the unique challenges and tremendous sacrifices of those who care for our wounded ill and injured service members often go unnoticed” says Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen founder and president of Give an Hour and leader of the Campaign to Change Direction. “We are proud to partner with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to provide critical training about the five signs of emotional suffering for caregivers as well as for those who have stepped up to wrap their services around them. In addition we are honored to invite military caregivers to provide their expertise as we educate our 7000 mental health professionals on the unique challenges these courageous women men and families face as they care for their loved ones.
The Campaign to Change Direction encourages Americans to care for their mental well-being just as they do their physical well-being. The campaign promotes the idea that just as we can all learn the signs that may indicate someone is having a heart attack we can learn the signs that may mean someone is suffering emotionally and needs our help. The five signs of emotional suffering are: change in personality agitation withdrawal decline in personal care and hopelessness.
To date over 115 campaign partners have made pledges to educate Americans about the five signs of emotional suffering. These partner organizations are using their unique skills and opportunities to assist in this critical initiative to change the culture of mental health. Together this collective impact effort will reach over 30 million Americans over the next five years. Organizations and individuals who are interested in learning more or making a pledge can visit www.changedirection.org.
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About Give an Hour™
Give an Hour a nonprofit 501(c)(3) providing free mental health services to military members veterans and their families was founded in September 2005 by Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen a psychologist in the Washington D.C. area. Give an Hour has been instrumental in the development of the community-based approach to address the challenges that face our nation's military community having created a successful model for harnessing skill-based volunteers eager to offer their services. Thus far the network of nearly 7000 licensed mental health professionals have provided more than 155000 hours of care and support to those in need. Give an Hour is now leading the Campaign to Change Direction a collective impact effort developed to change the culture of mental health in America. Give an Hour and its partners will address common barriers to understanding mental health and raise awareness about the signs of emotional suffering. To learn more visit www.giveanhour.org or connected.giveanhour.org. To learn more about the Campaign to Change Direction visit www.changedirection.org.
About The Elizabeth Dole Foundation
The mission of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation is to uplift American military and veteran caregivers by strengthening the services afforded to them through innovation evidence-based research and collaboration. Read more about the Foundation headquartered in Washington D.C. at www.elizabethdolefoundation.org.
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