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Added Dr. Michael McBride, a staff psychiatrist at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center:\u00a0\u201cThis year\u2019s focus on mental health services for LGBT+ veterans acknowledges that, for decades, many of these veterans didn\u2019t feel welcome or understood. There is a diverse care network out there for them, and the summit program will reflect this. Traditional VA care, suicide prevention, family care services, addiction treatment and alternative therapies like yoga and outdoor recreation are just a few of the topics we\u2019ll address.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event\u2019s keynote speaker will be Christine Black, director of Military & Veteran Services at Marywood University in Pennsylvania. Black was deployed three times as a member of the U.S. Army, and she will speak on her experiences at the summit.<\/p>\n
“We are thrilled to see the VA recognize, appreciate and affirm LGBTQ+ communities,” said Jen Murray, director of the 51ÁÔÆæ LGBT Resource Center. “Our center is proud to\u00a0collaborate with our campus and community partners\u00a0to support\u00a0the\u00a0veterans who have served us.”<\/p>\n
VA staff will offer presentations on healthcare eligibility, mental health access, benefits and related topics. Arts-based therapies and presentations include a performance by the Feast of Crispian theater troupe, therapeutic storytelling and an art show. Breakout sessions focus on LGBTQ+ language and terminology, coming out, locating or starting LGBTQ+ support groups for veterans, mindfulness and meditation and more.<\/p>\n