02/04/2021
January 2021 Updates
Give Hope:
This year the coronavirus pandemic added new dimensions to the challenges service members,
veterans, and their loved ones are already experiencing with separation and isolation, financial
strain, and challenging interpersonal relationships. The Department of Defense and the Department
of Veterans Affairs have made enormous strides to quickly enhance the ability to address mental
health treatment and dismantle negative stigma. Despite the increased availability of effective
treatments, studies show that gaps in the use of effective treatments exist in both general health
care and mental health care and in both the civilian and veteran health systems. Give an Hour is
proud to offer additional support to supplement the services offered by the DoD and Veterans
Affairs offices and to continue the great work we have established over the past 15 years for all
veterans, service members and their loved ones. In alignment with Give an Hour’s three pillars of
support - and thanks to the support of foundations such as Veterans United Foundation and Wasily
Family Foundation- Give an Hour staff will focus on: providing access to mental health care for
those in need, promoting mental health literacy and prevention, and changing the negative culture
of mental health.
Access to Care: In parallel with the surging need produced by the pandemic, Give an Hour continues
to increase the use of our network of providers offering in person and virtual care within the
veterans and military communities – and we couldn’t do this without your help reaching those in
need. Access to virtual care is giving many individuals who may not have sought mental health care
in the past an extraordinary opportunity – a new path to wellness – and Give an Hour is committed
to continued expansion of our provider network in 2021. By offering easy to access treatment
options in person, by phone and using HIPAA compliant virtual platforms - Give an Hour increases
the chance of full recovery for those who may be suffering. To find a provider, visit
www.giveanhour.org/get-help
Mental Health Literacy and Prevention: Research shows that prevention and early identification is
integral to successfully resolve mental health related conditions that arise in society - including
our military, veterans and loved ones. In addition to providing access to care; Give an Hour
continues to build on our wealth of prevention and literacy resources available for those who have
served and their loved ones. These offerings include downloadable wellness resources
(https://giveanhour.org/emotional-wellbeing-resources/), access to the Healthy Habits and Five
Signs materials (https://www.changedirection.org/tools/), and ongoing presentations and training
events (as needed) to units, battalions, support groups and other military personnel and their
loved ones.
Interested in Hosting an Educational or Informational Event?
Give an Hour Staff support virtual events and outreach to military support staff, units, FRGs,
military effected children and their parents, survivors of military related loss, and more. To
request more information about Give an Hour’s outreach opportunities,
(www.giveanhour.org/contactus). Space may be limited based on staff and provider availability and
will continue to be offered virtual only in 2021.
Please help us spread awareness of our services through your social media and publication networks.
Follow Give an Hour on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/GiveanHour and on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/GiveanHour.
Randy Phelps, Ph.D Erin Timmermans, MPA
Katie Civiletto, MHA
CEO, Give an Hour Director, Give an Hour
Program Manager, Give an Hour [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected]
www.giveanhour.org/military
Get Help:
Through a national network of licensed mental health providers, Give an Hour offers mental health
care to Active duty, National Guard and Reserve, Veterans, and their loved ones. Give an Hour’s
services complement Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs healthcare delivery by serving
veterans and military families seeking care outside the current system, those no longer eligible
for healthcare provided by the DOD or VA, and non-eligible siblings, parents, partners, and other
loved ones.
Step 1: Search for a Provider
Using the search form, answer a few questions to receive a list of providers who may be able to
assist you. Choose from a variety of options including in-person, telephone support, or video
counseling.
While it’s common in the mental health community to meet in the provider’s office, it may not be
feasible for everyone. If you are unable to meet with a provider in-person, we encourage the use of
telephone support or video counseling. A provider will rely on his or her professional judgment to
determine when an alternate method of contact will sufficiently meet your needs. NOTE: If you are
unable to locate a provider in your area and do not feel comfortable with phone support or video
counseling, please contact us
at [email protected] for assistance.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all services will be provided via telephone or telemental
health to abide by social distancing guidelines. Leave the “Type of Support” field blank to render
the most results
Step 2: Contact the Provider Directly
• Identify yourself as a potential Give an Hour client, even if you leave a voicemail.
• Mention Give an Hour: Tell the provider you are a Give an Hour client at the beginning of
your call, email or voicemail.
• Leave a Message: Even if the provider’s voicemail states they are not accepting new clients,
some providers hold openings just for GAH clients.
• Call Again: Messages can be hard to understand or accidentally erased. If you have not heard
back in a reasonable amount of time, consider calling again. Be sure to leave your name, number and
email address.
• Contact more than one provider. If you have not received an appointment after your first
call, consider calling another provider on your search results. Often people contact several
providers before finding one who is a good match for their needs.
• Be prepared: Make sure your voicemail is set up and not full for when the provider returns
your call.
• Try email: Providers spend much of their day with clients. Consider using their email or
their website’s “Contact Us” section to make contact.
• Let us know: If you can’t reach a Give an Hour® provider using their contact information on
our website, let us know at [email protected], and we will update our database.
• Website Issues: If you're having difficulty navigating our website search. We have had some
similar reports from time to time that those using a military or government computer have trouble
accessing our website. Unfortunately, we have found this is not something that Give an Hour can
fix. Our site is working perfectly on non-government computers. We think the errors stem from the
military network and their security systems causing a block or error on our page. Briefly, we
recommend you search for a provider using a mobile device, personal, or non-government/military
computer or laptop and/or try different browser or networks to see if one works better for you.
Please let us know if we can assist further or if you're unable to search using the devices listed
above.
