Support and Family Education (SAFE)

For Families and Friends of Veterans Who Struggle with Mental Illness

The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System offers various resources to veterans and their family members in Nebraska and Iowa. The Support and Family Education (SAFE) program offered through the VA is one such program that assists veterans who struggle with mental illness and their family members and friends.

The SAFE program is offered monthly and is a 1 ½ hour confidential workshop. The program is held at the VA hospital in Omaha and available via telehealth at the Lincoln and Grand Island VA clinics. There is no cost associated with participating in the program and all adolescent and adult family members of a veteran are welcome to participate.

Attending the SAFE program provides opportunities to:

• Talk to other family members in similar situations
• Learn more about causes, treatments, and medications for mental illness
• Receive emotional support and encouragement
• Ask mental health staff about mental illness
• Learn about treatment options available at VA NWIHCS, Omaha, and in the community
• Learn how to make time for yourself as a caregiver

The next SAFE program will be offered Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Educational Conference Room on the first floor of the main VA hospital building. The topic for the November session is “Depression/Bipolar Disorder and its Impact on the Family”.

If you would like to learn more about the SAFE program or future sessions, please contact Natalie at 1-800-451-5796 ext. 9-4944 or Colleen at 1-800-451-5796 ext. 9-4396.