VA Web Site Helps College Counselors Aid Veterans

WASHINGTON, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) has launched a new Web site to strengthen the connection between
college and university mental health professionals and the Veterans of the
Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts now studying on their campuses.

"Many of our newest Veterans are beginning their post-service lives by
furthering their educations," said Dr. Gerald M. Cross, VA's acting under
secretary for health. "This initiative is designed to ensure that colleges and
universities are able to assist with any special mental health needs they may
have."

The Web site, www.mentalhealth.va.gov/College, features recommended training
for college and university counselors, with online modules including
"Operation SAVE" for suicide prevention, "PTSD 101" and "Helping Students Who
Drink Too Much." It also will feature a resource list that will be updated
regularly.

Although the Web site is designed primarily for counselors, it also serves as
a resource for Veteran-students who wish to learn more about the challenges
they may face in adjusting to their lives after leaving the military.

"We hope counselors and our returning Veterans find this site helpful and easy
to use," Cross said. "As the site grows, we expect it will become an
increasingly valuable resource."

The new site is one of several Web-based tools VA has developed to assist
Veterans in dealing with mental health issues. Others include a guide for
families of military members returning from deployment and information about a
suicide prevention hotline for Veterans.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

VA Office of Public Affairs, +1-202-461-7600