New York Legionnaires give at-risk veterans major boost
The American Legion Department of New York’s new veteran suicide prevention initiative aligns with The American Legion’s Be The One campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the veteran suicide rate and empower everyone to take the initiative to save the life of a veteran who is at risk.
The Department of New York announced its new initiative to address and prevent veteran suicide and homelessness July 15 at its state convention in Binghamton – a $1.5 million fund that will award grants to state nonprofits that have programs directed at veteran suicide and homelessness prevention. The first two grants have been awarded.
A $100,000 grant was awarded to the Research and Recognition Project to fund a one-year pilot project to expand and measure its Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories Protocol® (RTM Protocol®) treatment for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress. The project will certify 30 licensed counselors in the state to administer the RTM Protocol® to approximately 400 veterans and their family members, and measure the remission of PTS and symptoms.
The Research and Recognition Project is a nonprofit founded by Dr. Frank Bourke in Corning, N.Y., that developed the RTM Protocol® therapy that “uses a short visualization process to retrieve and alter the memory.” According to the Research and Recognition Project, in clinical trials with RTM Protocol®, the treatment “is remitting PTS diagnosis and all PTS symptoms over 90% of the time in less than five hours, using no drugs.”
A $34,450 grant was awarded to the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition (VCHC) to furnish its Foreverly House, a home for homeless women veterans with children. The Foreverly House in Ballston Spa is a two-story home built specifically for this group. The home provides women veterans and their children with stable housing and access to VA health care, mental health resources and other support services needed, including help preparing for a successful transition to independent living within the community. In their grant request, VCHS wrote that 70% of homeless women veterans are mothers. “Often, these veterans do not seek assistance from VA because they fear their family will be separated, the housing options may be unsafe for children, or they will lose custody of their children if they ask for help. Living without the support needed, these moms spiral downwards, leading to a homeless situation and, even more serious, suicide. Imagine the challenge of being homeless with children after having faithfully served your country. It shouldn’t happen to any veteran, especially to a veteran mom and her children.”
The American Legion wants you to “Be The One” to save one veteran. Please ask veterans in your life how they are doing; listen when a veteran needs to talk; and reach out when you know a veteran is struggling. You can learn more about Be The One at www.betheone.org.