The Mental Health Association is a proud supporter of the Genesee Veterans Support Network, Inc.  The GVSN is a coalition of agencies and individuals that seeks to understand the needs of the veterans in our community and to insure that our community has the resources to meet those needs.  By reaching out to veterans of all eras in the community it is our goal to link veterans with existing services and to encourage the development of needed services which are not now available. 

Community Resources:

GENESEE COUNTY VETERANS' SERVICE AGENCY provides services for Veterans and their families Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5pm at 2 Bank Street Batavia, NY (2nd Floor).  The Veterans' Service Agency provides assistance in filing claims, assistance in obtaining psychological, employment and financial counseling, assistance in military review of discharges, and assistance in obtaining New York State benefits.  In depth counseling and follow-up service on all claims for benefits is available to all veterans, their dependents and  survivors.  For more information on this service, please call 585-343-8216 or visit the Genesee County website.

MILITARY PRIDE FRIENDS & FAMILY NETWORK:  This grass roots group provides friends and family members of a loved on in the active military or reserves, deployed or recently returned, the opportunity to informally network with other friends and families.  Meetings are held on a monthly basis.  This group provides education through a monthly speaker on various topics as well as tips, resources, and coping techniques provided by other members in the group.   For more information, contact:  Jay Lazarony at (585) 356-4561 or via email at jaylazarony@yahoo.com or Ruth Spink (585) 797-3728 or via email at theresruth@yahoo.com 

VETERANS SERVICE CENTER:  For information about the VA and to get answers about eligibility, enrolling, benefits, co-payments, billing, etc. call the VSC at 1-888-823-9656.

NATIONAL SUICIDE TOLL FREE NUMBER:  1-800-273-TALK (8255)

In May of 2008, Dr. Terri Julian, Western NY PTSD Program Manager at the Batavia VA was the guest speaker at the Mental Health Association's Annual Meeting.  To view her presentation Hidden Scars:  Veterans and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, click here  http://gcmha.entrexp.com/documentview.asp?docID=95.