RESOURCES
Resources Regarding COVID-19 For Veterans & Their Families
Public Service Announcement
“The coronavirus has affected our nation, but older adults are the most vulnerable. More than thirteen million Americans over 50 years old are military veterans. The Purple Heart Foundation believes that protecting the health and safety of these veterans is of the utmost importance. We urge you to reach out to the veterans and other older adults in your family and community to ensure their well-being, coordinate an emergency contact and help with essential tasks like preparing food and supplies for them to be quarantined.”
Donate now to help the Purple Heart Foundation continue to provide much-needed aid to our nation’s combat-wounded veterans during uncertain times, such as these.
Symptoms, Care, Statistics & More...
- Military Health System: What You Need To Know – Learn about what the Military Health System says you need to know about the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19.
- CDC: Tracking COVID-19, Symptoms & Care – The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Tracking COVID-19, knowing the symptoms and what to do if you get the coronavirus.
- TRICARE: Beneficiary Health Guidelines – Symptoms of COVID-19, precautions to take and guidelines to follow if you are a TRICARE beneficiary.
- New Medical Facility Access Measures – Find out what new medical facility access measures are taking place in the National Capital Region to reduce risk of exposure and how this could effect your ability to receive health care during the pandemic.
- CDC: Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 – Find out the answers to the questions asked most frequently to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the new novel coronavirus.
- ABC News: Brad Paisley’s free grocery store delivers food to Nashville’s elderly amid coronavirus.
- USA Today: Senate passes coronavirus relief plan to expand paid leave & Trump invokes Defense Production Act to address coronavirus crisis.
Freedom From Boredom
Fun virtual activities and resources to help reduce boredom for adults and provide free educational resources for your kids and grand kids while school is out.
Arts & Entertainment
- Together At Home: Virtual Concert Series kicked-off by Coldplay’s front-man, Chris Martin. This was the first of many performances in the “Together, At Home” music series from Global Citizen and the World Health Organization.
- National Aquarium – Free broadcasting of the National Aquarium. Tune into our Blacktip Reef, Jellies Invasion and Pacific Coral Reef livestreams and enjoy a piece of the Aquarium from home.
- Museum & Gallery Virtual Tours: Google and Culture teamed up to provide over virtual tours for over 500 museums and galleries around the world while you’re confined in your homes (including, but not limited to, The British Museum, The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC,Musee de Orsay in Paris, and the National Museum of Anthropologyin Mexico City).
Education
- Scholastic – Offering free learn at home programs (Pre-kindergarten – 6th Grade).
- School Schedule Sample: A sample schedule for different age groups to keep your kids on track while home-schooling during school closures due to COVID-19.
- Home-school Worksheets – Free printable worksheets for homeschooling for k – 12.
Additional COVID-19 Resources
Real-Time Map & Tracking of COVID-19
COVID-19 Testing Sites Across the Country
CDC: COVID-19 Travel Considerations
The Proper Way To Wash Your Hands
Blog: COVID-19: Affecting America’s
Veteran Population
Emergency & Suicide Prevention
Speak with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text—24/7. Visit Veteran Crisis Line
If you need assistance immediately, please call 1-800-273-8255.
For veterans, crises can be heightened by their experiences during military service. If you’re a veteran or service member and in crisis, these resources can help. Visit Veterans: Lifeline for more information on how to take care of yourself, how to help others experiencing these feelings, or find more resources.
Apps & Self Assessment
Take a PTS self-assessment developed by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Visit PTSD Self Assessment
PTSD Resources
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, frequently referred to as the PCL-5, is a self-assessment to measure the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms. DSM-5 refers to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the standard reference used by healthcare providers to diagnose mental health and behavioral conditions.
If your responses to the PCL-5 suggest that you may suffer from PTSD, you may benefit from reaching out to a behavioral healthcare professional for help. Recovery from PTSD is possible, and is critical for a happier and more fulfilling life.
Find information about the causes, symptoms and treatments of PTS. Visit PTSD: National Center for PTSD
Hear stories from other veterans, and get advice from clinicians who have treated thousands of cases of PTS. Visit About Face
Find information about treatment options, coping mechanisms and medications for PTS. Visit National Institute of Mental Health
Learn about the risk factors and complications associated with PTS, and find information about tests, diagnoses, treatments and medication. Visit The Mayo Clinic
Gain a better understanding of PTS, and learn how to get help for yourself, a friend, or a family member. Read stories from people who have gotten support and returned to their normal lives, activities and relationships. Download the PDF
Read about the therapies and medications that are proven to help people with PTS. Hear from experts about what treatment is like and how it can help you. Download the PDF
Veteran Patient Program link: https://www.shepherd.org/patient-programs/care-for-us-service-members
Providing servicemembers with in-depth information on the negative impact PTSD can have on someone’s daily life as well as strategies on how to mitigate its effects. You can find the guide here:
https://www.sleepadvisor.org/
Find a veteran support group in your area. Visit Vet Center Program
Join an online PTS support group. Visit PTSD Support Group
Visit the Recovery Village at: http://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-treatment-guide/
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Resources
Get an overview of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), programs and services, screening and outreach. Visit Department of Veterans Affairs-Mental Health Center
Read about the military’s response to domestic violence and access statistics, research and information. Visit National Center for Domestic and Sexual Violence
Learn about the Army’s I. A.M. STRONG program and army-specific policies and reporting procedures for sexual assault. Visit SHARP-Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention
Learn about the Navy’s policies and reporting procedures for sexual assault. Visit Navy Sexual Assault Prevention
Learn about the SAPR program, how to prevent and respond to sexual assault how members of the coast guard should report a sexual assault. Visit United States Coast Guard Sexual Assault Prevention, Recovery and Response (SAPRR) program.
Access all the 24/7 helpline numbers for the United States Marine Corp. Download the PDF
Find healthcare services for women veterans available through the VA. Visit Women Veterans Healthcare
Find MST services available through the VA. Download the PDF
Watch videos where survivors of MST share stories about sexual assault and recovery. Visit Military Sexual Trauma: Real Stories from Veterans
Access sexual assault support from the Department of Defense community. Visit Safe Helpline
Learn about sexual assault reporting options and get reporting policy information. Visit Reporting and Policy Information
Know your rights as a victim of military sexual assault. Visit the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response site.
Call the VA support line dedicated to Women Veterans’ needs. 1-855-829-6636
Read about a study that assesses the efficacy of the Veterans Health Administration universal screening program for military sexual violence. Visit Veterans Health Administration and Military Sexual Trauma
Learn about the prevalence of women veterans suffering from co-occurring issues, like post-traumatic stress (PTS), military sexual trauma, addiction and homelessness. Visit Women Veteran with Co-occurring Disorders
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Resources
Find information about the causes, symptoms and treatments of TBI. Visit TraumaticBrainInjury.com
Read this guide for families and caregivers of those who have suffered a TBI. Learn about the effects of TBI, what you can do to help and how to navigate veteran services and benefits. Visit Traumatic Brain Injury
Know the signs of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries and how to cope. Visit Signs & Symptoms Fact Sheet
Watch a short video about potential causes and symptoms of TBI and what to do if you have had a brain injury.
Access information and resources for people living with TBI and their families. Visit BrainLine.org
Get help with managing the ongoing symptoms of TBI as you go back to school. Visit Back to School Guide
Get connected with a support group for people who have experienced TBI. Visit Traumatic Brain Injury Support
Find a veteran support group in your area. Visit Vet Center Program
Find out the new rules for veterans disability related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) Visit TBI Disability Ratings
Apply online to receive your disability benefits for TBI and other conditions. Visit TBI Benefits
Alcohol & Drug Rehab for Veterans
24/7 Support from treatment specialists to help you recover today. All conversations and data gathered kept 100% private. NOW is the time. Get the right treatment. Find a rehab location in your area based on treatment type, payment type or substance. Visit Alltreatment.com to start your treatment.
Visit us at https://www.help.org/substance-abuse-rehab-for-veterans/ to learn more about how you can get the help you seek.
Career Opportunities
A tool for veterans nationwide to learn about what jobs they qualify for, benefits of the GI Bill, the best undergrad and graduate schools to look into, the best companies for veterans, veteran rights and more.Visit https://www.zippia.com/advice/veteran-resource-guide/ to take advantage of this resource.
For a veteran’s guide to job searching in 2020, visit https://novoresume.com/career-blog/veteran-jobs.
Use the skills you’ve gained from your service to our country, by applying for a job in the private security sector. Military and law enforcement veterans receive FREE registration to this (veteran-owned and operated) website in order to research and apply for private security jobs across the country and worldwide. Register free today by visiting: https://silentprofessionals.org/private-security-jobs/.
Miscellaneous Resources
If you have found a Purple Heart medal that needs to be returned to it’s rightful owner, please contact purpleheartsreunited@gmail.com
Always check & verify with our business patriots that their offer has not changed and is still valid. Visit https://veteranbargains.com/our-business-patriots for more info and bargain codes.
Learn more about how to cope with issues affecting your military family, such as deployment, health, effects on military children, civil employment, family programs available and more.