Please join us in Arlington on September 23, 2024 at 6pm for a thoughtful conversation with Denise Olsen, author of "Strong and Soulful: Graced by Grief.

"In her empowering memoir, Olsen shares her transformative journey through the depths of devastating loss to a place of unexpected strength and profound self-discovery. After the heart-shattering loss of her husband, a firefighter in the World Trade Center attacks, Olsen was enveloped in a grief so intense, it threatened to consume her. But within this dark chapter of her life, she found a surprising truth: grief, while altering us irrevocably, does not have to be our undoing. Whether the grief journey is your own, or someone you support, this book offers guidance drawn from Olsen's own lived experience.

This conversation will be facilitated Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar, Creative Advisor to PsychArmor and founder of In Their Honor, an organization dedicated to honoring Veterans at the end of their life. The event will take place at the American Legion Post 139. Register now to reserve your spot. Space is limited.

This event is supported by PsychArmor, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation providing education and support to individuals and organizations that work with, live with, and care for American service members, Veterans, and their families. This work is supported by donations and grants.

Join us on September 18, 2024, at 1pm ET with our host Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar and our special guests Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Gretchen Evans U.S. Army, and her husband, Chaplain Captain Robert Evans, U.S. Navy, to discuss their inspiring story of overcoming life’s challenges and exploring the impact of resilience and recreation on their journey to Whole Health. We will also discuss the vital role caregivers play in fostering and supporting resilience, highlighting the importance of love, support, and shared experiences in the healing process.

Be sure to tune in! You do not want to miss this episode!

Join us Thursday August 1st at 1 PM ET for “Conversations with Caregivers and Families.” Our special guest, Melissa Comeau, Director of the American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network, will discuss the Whole Health Model. Melissa will also share her experience supporting military and Veteran caregivers and Families using the “Petals of Wellness” framework and how critical it is for us to tend to our own personal needs as we bloom.

Join PsychArmor Thursday June 27th at 6 PM ET for an engaging conversation on the past, present, and future of the LGBTQIA+ community in service and beyond. Moderated by Duane France, the host of PsychArmor's "Behind the Mission" podcast, this event will feature three exceptional panelists who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, Veterans, and subject matter experts. We are excited to present this webcast to a diverse audience of community members, allies, healthcare providers, and more. This initiative is driven by the Michigan Governor's Challenge and is offered in partnership with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) and Humana.

Join us on February 22 for an intimate conversation where we explore Mastering the Art of Communication: Unveiling “Choosing Your Words”. In this inaugural episode of 2024, we are delving into one of PsychArmor's newest micro courses, 'Choosing Your Words,' recognizing that for military and Veteran caregivers and families, effective communication is not just a skill; it's an indispensable lifeline. Our featured guests Roxana Delgado and Victor L. Medina are sharing their journeys, shedding light on how mastering communication has been a game-changer. This episode is not just a discussion; it's a masterclass, kicking off this season with an exploration into the heart of effective communication. If you need more reasons to tune in, know that you will walk away with practical tips, real-life stories, and tangible takeaways that will reshape your communication techniques. We're not just talking about it; we're giving you a front-row seat to explore the heart of effective communication.

Join us on September 14 for an intimate conversation where we explore respite for caregivers and share information about the launch of our NEW Respite course series. This conversation aims to empower and equip you with the knowledge and resources needed to prioritize your own health and well-being and increase opportunities for joy throughout your caregiving journey. Designed specifically for caregivers, this virtual event will provide valuable insights, strategies, and resources to harness the transformative potential of respite care. Register today to be part of a great conversation and learn more about our NEW Respite courses.

Join us this Tuesday, June 6th at 1 PM ET, for an intimate conversation where we explore what caregivers need to know about Veteran Service Officers (VSOs). Caring for Veterans requires an understanding of the available services, benefits, and support systems specifically designed to meet their unique needs. Veteran Service Officers play a crucial role in connecting veterans and their families to the benefits and assistance they deserve. This webinar will shed light on the significance of VSOs and how caregivers can collaborate with them to enhance the well-being of the Veterans they care for.

Join us for the National University Speaker Series, on May 23 at 2 p.m. PDT, to hear Dr. Heidi Squier Kraft, PsychArmor's Chief Clinical Officer, sharing "15 Things Veterans Want You to Know!" Learn from her firsthand knowledge as a former psychologist in the U.S. Navy, and gain invaluable insight into the needs and struggles of veterans.

Join us on Thursday, May 4th at 1 pm ET, for a live webinar via Zoom: Empowered Decision Making: A Treatment Team Approach to Long Acting Injectables (LAIs) for Adults with Schizophrenia. Gain a better understanding of LAIs, learn about a multidisciplinary approach to medication discussions, and review strategies to effectively communicate LAIs as a possible treatment option for your adult patients with Schizophrenia.

Honoring Our Veterans: Compassionate Caregiving through the End of Life

Join us March 20th, 2023 at 1 PM EST/10 AM PST for PsychArmor’s latest Conversations with Caregivers webinar, Honoring Our Veterans: Compassionate Caregiving through the End of Life.  During this conversation, Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar, Army Veteran and End-of-Life Doula and Shaina Purser, family caregiver and social worker, will explore the importance of end-of-life care for Veterans and highlight the need for open and honest communication between caregivers and their loved ones. In addition, we will share tools and resources to navigate this journey and highlight the need for emotional and social support. Click the button below to register! 

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Your Military and Veteran Constituents: Why They Matter

Are you an MLA, VLA, Defense, or VA Fellow who wants to learn more about how to best serve your military and veteran constituents? JOIN US.

Who should attend?

This is an in-person event for those with access. 118th Congress Military and Veteran Affairs Legislative Assistants, Defense Fellows, VA Fellows, HVAC/SVAC staff, and HASC/SASC staff.

What should you expect?

We hear a lot about culture these days. Be culturally aware, be culturally humble. Most importantly, be culturally competent. The U.S. military is a culture with its own language, norms, and interests that often stick with service members and families even after leaving service. How prepared are you to talk with and support your military and veteran constituents?

Join the Veterans of Foreign Wars legislative staff and PsychArmor, in collaboration with the For Country Caucus, to learn more about how to connect with this critical constituency and what policy areas matter most to them. Coffee and refreshments will be provided, and attendance is free!

When is it?

Thursday, February 23, 2023--Doors open at 9:30 am, program begins at 10:00 am.

Where is it?

U.S. Capitol Hill Visitor Center, Room HVC-201 A/B.

** Seating is limited, so please RSVP at your earliest opportunity. ** See you there!

Join us on Monday, January 10th at 4:00 PM Eastern for Conversations with Caregivers as we discuss working while caregiving. Joining us for this conversation will be: Jessica Strong, Co-Director of Applied Research at Blue Star Families; Geri Lynn Maples, Caregiver, Dole Fellow and Dayton & Southwestern Ohio Chapter Director at Blue Star Families; and Conwell Smith, Chief External Affairs Officer at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers. We will focus our attention on educating, equipping, and creating awareness surrounding the challenges that caregivers experience in the workplace. We will discuss tips and tricks for navigating these challenges and share resources available to both caregivers and employers.

About the Conversations with Caregivers Series

The Conversations with Caregivers series, sponsored by the USAA Foundation, is an opportunity to virtually engage and learn with fellow military & Veteran caregivers about difficult issues that affect our lives. These events are intended for military & Veteran caregivers to learn together, discover new resources, change the narrative of our own experiences, and build resilience.

S.A.V.E. the Date! Join us on November 18th for our live course launch event to learn about our new course, VA S.A.V.E: Preventing Caregiver Suicide. During our panel discussion, learn why military-connected caregivers are at risk, signs to look for when someone is in crisis, and methods for prevention and harm reduction. Additionally, we welcome our guest speakers who will lend their valuable insights and expertise as we navigate this difficult topic:

Melissa Comeau, Director of the American Red Cross' Military Veteran Caregiver Network
Aimee Johnson, Program Analyst, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Meg Kabat, Senior Advisor for Families, Caregivers, and Survivors, Office of the Secretary
Justin Schmitt, Corporate Responsibility AVP for USAA
Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Join us on Friday, October 29th at 12:00 PM Pacific for Conversations with Caregivers as we recognize National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Joining us for this conversation will be Dr. LeAnn Bruce and Dr. Corrine Hinton. We will focus our attention on educating, equipping, and creating awareness surrounding the challenges that caregivers and families experience with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) or Domestic Violence. A difficult but important topic, this Conversation will address important aspects of interpersonal violence, and vital resources for yourself and those you love.

About the Conversations with Caregivers Series

The Conversations with Caregivers series, sponsored by the USAA Foundation, is an opportunity to virtually engage and learn with fellow military & Veteran caregivers about difficult issues that affect our lives. These events are intended for military & Veteran caregivers to learn together, discover new resources, change the narrative of our own experiences, and build resilience.

On September 9th, join us for a Conversations with Caregivers commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Dr. Roxana Delgado will join us in reflecting on how the attacks have reverberated over the past two decades and continue to impact her personal and professional experience as a caregiver and health scientist. Through this discussion, we hope to honor the strength, sacrifice, bravery, and patriotism of our military and Veteran caregivers.

About the Conversations with Caregivers Series

The Conversations with Caregivers series, sponsored by USAA, is an opportunity to virtually engage and learn with fellow military & Veteran caregivers about difficult issues that affect our lives. These events are intended for military & Veteran caregivers to learn together, discover new resources, change the narrative of our own experiences, and build resilience.

In this episode of the Conversations with Caregivers webinar series, Amy Mosher-Garvey and CC Gallagher discuss mental health and the importance of destigmatizing talking about and getting support for one’s mental health. Through this discussion, we want you to be able to come away with ideas of healthy coping strategies for stressful times, and a better understanding of how to normalize and prioritize mental wellness.

About the Conversations with Caregivers Series

The Conversations with Caregivers series, sponsored by USAA, is an opportunity to virtually engage and learn with fellow military & Veteran caregivers about difficult issues that affect our lives. These events are intended for military & Veteran caregivers to learn together, discover new resources, change the narrative of our own experiences, and build resilience.

Join subject matter experts Melissa Comeau, the Director of the American Red Cross Military & Veteran Caregiver Network, and Shaina Purser, the Community Coordinator of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Program, for a discussion on creating social connection and community as military & Veteran Caregivers.

About the Conversations with Caregivers Series

The Conversations with Caregivers series, sponsored by USAA, is an opportunity to virtually engage and learn with fellow military & Veteran caregivers about difficult issues that affect our lives. These events are intended for military & Veteran caregivers to learn together, discover new resources, change the narrative of our own experiences, and build resilience.

In this episode of the Conversations with Caregivers webinar series, Dr. William Brim and Brian Vines (Col., USA, Ret.) explore the importance of sleep and how crucial it is in everyday life, especially as a caregiver. A good night’s sleep can be elusive for caregivers. After this conversation, you will have the knowledge and tools to prioritize one of your most basic needs.

About the Conversations with Caregivers Series

The Conversations with Caregivers series, sponsored by USAA, is an opportunity to virtually engage and learn with fellow military & Veteran caregivers about difficult issues that affect our lives. These events are intended for military & Veteran caregivers to learn together, discover new resources, change the narrative of our own experiences, and build resilience.

In this episode of the Conversations with Caregivers webinar series, Lyndsay Tkach and Jennifer Mackinday tackle substance use and how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the perception of substance use. Through this discussion, we want you to be able to better understand some of the reasons for substance use, how it has become normalized in times of stress, as well as resources you can reach out to if you are struggling with substance use.

About the Conversations with Caregivers Series

The Conversations with Caregivers series, sponsored by USAA, is an opportunity to virtually engage and learn with fellow military & Veteran caregivers about difficult issues that affect our lives. These events are intended for military & Veteran caregivers to learn together, discover new resources, change the narrative of our own experiences, and build resilience.

In this episode of the Conversations with Caregivers webinar series, Lyndsay Tkach and Jennifer Mackinday tackle substance use and how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the perception of substance use. Through this discussion, we want you to be able to better understand some of the reasons for substance use, how it has become normalized in times of stress, as well as resources you can reach out to if you are struggling with substance use.

About the Conversations with Caregivers Series

The Conversations with Caregivers series, sponsored by USAA, is an opportunity to virtually engage and learn with fellow military & Veteran caregivers about difficult issues that affect our lives. These events are intended for military & Veteran caregivers to learn together, discover new resources, change the narrative of our own experiences, and build resilience.

Learn, share, and discover in the first episode of the Conversations with Caregivers webinar series, featuring Dr. Keita Franklin of Loyal Source Government Services, and Silvia López of the Code of Support Foundation. Together, we will talk about tips and tools you can use to address feelings of social isolation & loneliness as you navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic as Caregivers for military service members & Veterans.

About the Conversations with Caregivers Series

The Conversations with Caregivers series, sponsored by USAA, is an opportunity to virtually engage and learn with fellow military & Veteran caregivers about difficult issues that affect our lives. These events are intended for military & Veteran caregivers to learn together, discover new resources, change the narrative of our own experiences, and build resilience.

Join PsychArmor’s Chief Programs Officer, Dr. Carie Rodgers, and Research Health Scientist, Dr. Jill Bormann, as they walk through the foundation and benefits of the Mantram Repetition Program, including mantram repetition, one-pointed attention, and slowing down. Dr. Rodgers and Dr. Bormann will teach healthcare providers and peers how to use mantram in their own lives, as well as how to facilitate the Mantram Repetition Program with military caregivers.

Putting It All Together & Mantram with Military Caregivers will focus on using all of the mantram tools and teaching Military Caregivers how to use it to manage pandemic and caregiving-related stress.

Join PsychArmor’s Chief Programs Officer, Dr. Carie Rodgers, and Research Health Scientist, Dr. Jill Bormann, as they walk through the foundation and benefits of the Mantram Repetition Program, including mantram repetition, one-pointed attention, and slowing down. Dr. Rodgers and Dr. Bormann will teach healthcare providers and peers how to use mantram in their own lives, as well as how to facilitate the Mantram Repetition Program with military caregivers.

The second of three Pandemic Stress First-Aid Webinars, sponsored by USAA, will focus on two tools that make mantram more effective and useful: Slowing Down and One Pointed Attention.

Please join PsychArmor's Chief Program Officer, Dr. Carie Rodgers, and subject matter expert, Dr. Jill Bormann, for Part One of a series of live webinars to learn about the evidence-based practice of Mantram Repetition.

This series, sponsored by USAA, focuses on Mantram Repetition and how to use it to help prevent burnout, quiet the mind, improve concentration, and better manage both the stresses of COVID-19 and caregiving for our nation's Hidden Heroes.