Participating in the initiative will be veterans, veterans' health care providers, mental health experts, and U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee
TUCSON - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday will launch a much-needed community initiative to improve and expand mental health services for veterans.
Because of the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, a growing number of veterans require treatment for post-traumatic stress disorders. Yet there is little or no coordination among local, state and federal mental health care providers. Giffords is convening this two-hour discussion to address this problem.
Giffords, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, will be joined at the event by U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud of Maine, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee. Last year, Michaud played a key role in helping the 110th Congress pass the largest funding increase in the history of the Veterans Administration.
Also participating will be Neal Cash, CEO of the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona; Mark Clark, CEO of CODAC; Kathy Wells, COO of La Frontera; Armando Moreno of COPE; Dana Johnson, CEO of SEABHS; Col. William Humphrey, director of Health Services at Fort Huachuca; Col. William Pollan, director of Health Services at Davis-Monthan; Jonathan Gardener, director of the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System; Dr. David Emelity, chief of Mental Health Care Line; Sergio Arellano of the Army Wounded Warrior Program; Mary Figura of Comin' Home; Abel Moreno of Vets4vets; and Dan Ross of Vietnam Vets of America.
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords launches community initiative on improving mental health for veterans
WHEN: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, September 6
WHERE: Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, 2502 N. Dodge, Palo Brea Room, Tucson and, via video conference, Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, 999 E. Fry Blvd, Suite 109, Sierra Vista