Union Veterans Council Provides Urgent Community Resources for Afghan Crisis

Veterans from all generations are processing the news of what is currently unfolding in Afghanistan and could be experiencing a wide range of emotions and feelings right now. From union presidents to first-year apprentices, many of these veterans are our brothers, sisters and siblings in the labor movement, and we want to support them during this time of concern.

With more than 1 million working union veterans and countless retirees, the Union Veterans Council wants to ensure that the labor community, and our veterans are educated, informed and prepared with the right resources and support to face this moment head-on.

Let’s be clear this will not affect all veterans, but our goal is to be prepared and make sure that any union veteran or family member gets the support they need, even if it is just a check-in. 

We also have compiled a list of resources that are accessible to veterans, veterans’ supporters and the general public. Please share widely so that everyone who needs these resources has access to them.

• Veterans Crisis Line: If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then press 1, or visit the website.
• For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local Veterans Affairs medical center, 24 hours, seven days a week, regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.
• Vet Centers: Discuss how you feel with other veterans in these community-based counseling centers. Some 70% of Vet Center staff are veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.
• VA Mental Health Services Guide: This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services through the VA.
• MakeTheConnection: Information, resources and veteran-to-veteran videos that discuss challenging life events and experiences that raise mental health issues.
• RallyPoint: Talk to other veterans online. Participate in discussions such as: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of U.S. involvement?
• Download VA’s Self-Help Apps: Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): Request a peer mentor.
• VA Women Veterans Call Center: Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. ET).
• VA Caregiver Support Line: Call 1-855-260-3274 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET).
• Together We Served: Find your battle buddies through unit pages.
• George W. Bush Institute: Need help or want to talk? Check in, call: 1-630-522-4904 or email: checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org.
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes: Join the community.
• American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network: Find peer support and mentoring.
• Team Red, White & Blue: They hold hundreds of events weekly. Find a chapter in your area.
• Student Veterans of America: Find a campus chapter to connect with.
• Team Rubicon: Find a local support squad.