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Mary Ellen Piotrowski Post 94

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Crisis and Support Resources

Resources listed on this page are NOT endorsed by The American Legion but are simply provided as a source of information.  The links have been opened safely (without virus).  Members and visitors using these links and resources are encouraged to use their own due diligence when using this information.


Mar 18, 2021: NEW SB 1443 military family relief fund approved:   

On March 18, 2021, Governor Doug Ducey signed senate bill 1443, expanding the Arizona Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF). MFRF was established by the Arizona Legislature in 2007 to support families of Post 9/11 service members. The fund provides financial assistance to the families of service members, Military and Veteran families for hardships caused by the Veteran or service member’s military service. In April 2018, an amendment expanded the MFRF program to include Pre-9/11 applicants. Assistance from MFRF is determined by an Advisory Committee composed of twelve members appointed by the Governor, as well as the Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services. 

Under the expanded eligibility criteria, service members and Veterans discharged under honorable conditions who meet ALL of the following criteria may be eligible for financial assistance:


Sep 16, 2019: Military veterans substance abuse and addiction awareness. The following is provided by Help.org.

Recently a group of our medical professionals spent time with addiction experts to find out more about the substance abuse crisis that military veterans throughout the U.S. and their families are facing. There are of course further implications such as long term medical problems, additional psychiatric disorders, interpersonal and vocational impairment, and sadly suicide.  Unfortunately, for most communities this problem is hidden due to the lack of awareness. So we created a guide that provides comprehensive information on substance abuse statistics among veterans, governmental programs that offers treatment, and steps that veterans can take to get the help that they need. You can learn more about our guide here:

Aug 7, 2019: Phoenix VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans Community Resource & Referral Center. Click here.

Aug 7, 2019: ADVS listing of AZ Veteran Benefits Counseling (VBC) Offices - Permanent Locations. Click here:

Feb 18, 2019:  Suicide has become an epidemic nationally affecting our veterans at an alarming rate. We as veterans are more likely to attempt this than any other group. Please learn the signs and be the voice. We have all been personally touched by this crisis. Thus, we must bring awareness to this urgent situation. 

Learn the warning signs. Do you know a veteran, or are you personally dealing with stress, depression, pain, or health issues, relationship issues, or is withdrawn? Do you know a veteran who has made hopeless or suicidal statements or posts? Don’t be afraid to get involved and show them they are not alone.

Reach out to them, ask if they have had thoughts of harm. Listen and take their answers seriously and with a purpose. We leave no veteran or soldier behind. Seek Help! Call the crisis line or take them to the closest ER. Your actions will save a life.

If you are, or someone you know is struggling with stress, depression, or suicidal ideation, Please call the Military/VA crisis line at 800-273-8255. Press 1. Which is a 24/7 line with a live person on the other end. You are not alone in this struggle, there is help. WE are worth it! Call me....

I want to encourage all patriots to check on your buddies. Call your buddies. Learn the resources in your area for help such as The Cohen Center, Head Strong, Safe, just to name a few. Together we can help stop this crisis.

 https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/01/30/active-duty-military-suicides-near-record-highs-2018.html      

Cathrine Shaw
Purple Heart Recipient OEF
National Suicide Awareness
(843)814-3760     

Oct 12, 2018: FREE PDF BOOKThe Sword and The Anvil: A Definitive Guide for Natural, Healthy Healing from Post-Traumatic Stress and Trauma.

Jul 28, 2018: VA Releases State-level Veteran Suicide Data, National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide

Click on the link above to read their report which shows Arizona has a higher Veteran suicide rate than the national rate.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in collaboration with PsychArmor Institute, a national nonprofit that provides online education and support to Americans who work with, live with or care for military service members, Veterans and their families, recently launched an online suicide-prevention training video, titled “SAVE,” which is designed to equip anyone who interacts with Veterans to demonstrate care, support and compassion when talking with a Veteran who could be at risk for suicide.

SAVE which stands for Signs, Ask, Validate, Encourage and Expedite, offers simple steps anyone — whether a treatment provider, clinician, friend or family member — can take when talking with Veterans at risk for suicide.

The free training video can be viewed at https://psycharmor.org/courses/s-a-v-e/. The 25-minute online training course covers three main topics: 

Veterans in crisis or having thoughts of suicide — and anyone who knows a Veteran in crisis — should call the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential support 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Call 800-273-8255 and press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or text to 838255.

Jul 20, 2018: Talking with a Veteran in Crisis - resouce paper

Jul 5, 2018: Arizona Department of Veteran Services Crisis and Support Resources Information - click here for details.

Jun 11, 2018: Please view this video message from Director Wanda Wright regarding preventing veteran suicides.

As Director Wright says, “suicide can be prevented, and how we do it is as a community.” Below are crisis and support resources for the military and veteran community.