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Real Veterans Real Stories Sue Fabeck Suicide Prevention Coordinator U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Make the Connection – About the Campaign . One-stop online resource to privately explore mental health topics
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Real VeteransReal StoriesSue FabeckSuicide Prevention CoordinatorU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Make the Connection – About the Campaign • One-stop online resource to privately explore mental health topics • 400+ unscripted stories of Veterans who faced challenges and took steps that improved their lives • Optional filters for visitors to personalize content and easily find stories similar to their own • Resource locators to easily find national and local support
A Resource for Veterans At MakeTheConnection.net, Veterans and members of their support networks can: - - - Listento powerful video testimonials from Veterans and their family members Learn, in plain language,abouttopics and solutions relevant to their experiences Locateresources, programs, and services near them
The Power of Veterans’ Stories Hosting hundreds of videos on experiences relevant to Veterans, visitors can: • Easily find Veterans’ stories relevant to theirownexperiences • Dynamically sort videos: • Gender, era, branch, and exposure to combat • Life events and experiences • Signs and symptoms • Conditions
Veterans Can Find Information Relevant to Them MakeTheConnection.net has multiple user-friendly points of entry that include nonclinical options. • Life events and experiences • Transitioning from service • Financial and legal issues • Family and relationship challenges • Signs and symptoms • Alcohol and drug problems • Flashbacks • Anger and irritability • Feeling on edge • Conditions (mental & physical health) • PTSD • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) • Military sexual trauma (MST) • Depression • Suicide …and much more.
Resources: Benefiting Veterans and the Community • An easy-to-use resource locator helps Veterans—and those looking to assist them—find localassistance for challenges ranging from transitioning from service to trouble sleeping to depression to PTSD. • National Search • Local Results
MakeTheConnection.netMobile Going mobile allowed MakeTheConnection.net to become universally accessible, while maintaining its dynamic and engaging features. Video Gallery Filter Resource Locator
Encouraging Veterans to Make the Connection Connecting with the Veteran community online via the web, Facebook and YouTube. • Website: 4.6 million visits* • Facebook: 2.2 million Facebook fans* • www.facebook.com/VeteransMTC • YouTube: 8.1 million video views* • www.MakeTheConnection.net • www.YouTube.com/VeteransMTC • *data current as of April 2014
Encouraging Veterans to Make the Connection • Recommend Make the Connection as a resource to Veterans and their families • Download materials to share from: • MakeTheConnection.net/Resources/Spread-The-Word • Include the campaign in community or professional presentations • Actively use these real Veterans’ stories in your interactions with Veterans /VeteransMTC /VeteransMTC /+VeteransMTC
VA’s integrated approach to suicide preventionReady access to quality care
Free, confidential support 24/7/365 • Veterans • Family members • Friends • Service members
Connecting with Veterans and their families through outreach
Campaign materials Coaster Brochures and Posters Wallet Card Tote Bags Magnets Table Tents Phone Sticker Kickstand Pads Bracelet