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Mental Health Awareness Month
Our intention behind this year’s challenge is to bring awareness to Mental Health in the United States. Please help us spread this message by sharing this challenge with your friends and families using the following link: Vetoga.org/AmazonVetogaChallenge
What you can expect…
During the 14-day challenge, there will be daily meditation, pranayama (breathing), asana (movement), and yoga Nidra (guided relaxation). You will start the first five days with 5-mins of practice in each category and work your way up to 15-mins by the end of the challenge.
Winning prizes!
For those who complete the 14-Day challenge and upload their personal video describing their transformation and awareness during this challenge, there will be a top prize of FREE tuition to an upcoming VETOGA Teacher Training. Other prizes include: beautiful Mala Beads from MalaforVets, and other VETOGA swag.
By participating in this challenge, you are making a commitment to increase awareness of mental health in communities.
This will be fun and challenging and we are excited to invite you into our community to spread awareness for Mental Health.
Thank you & Namaste,
The VETOGA Family
Veteran Resources
The following resources are available from Veterans Affairs:
Vet Centers — Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call 1-877-927-8387 or find one near you.
VA Mental Health Services Guide — This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services.
MakeTheConnection.net – Information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.
RallyPoint — Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?
Download VA’s self-help apps — Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
VA Women Veterans Call Center — Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 6:30PM ET).
VA Caregiver Support Line — Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 5PM ET).
Together We Served — Find your battle buddies through unit pages.
George W. Bush Institute — Need help or want to talk? Check In, or call: 1-630-522-4904, or email: checkin@veteranwellnessalliance.org
Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes — Join the Community.
American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network — Peer Support and Mentoring.
Student Veterans of America — Find a campus chapter to connect with.
VETogi of the Month
Russ Owens
United State Navy
Russ is a recent graduate of the VETOGA 200-hour teacher training. Since certification, he has shared yoga in a variety of settings, including the local studio, at which he regularly practices and at several veteran service organizations. Teaching yoga and meditation in the veteran community has been an incredibly rewarding experience. He has had the privilege of guiding veterans through practices designed to transform struggle into strength, using yoga as a tool for post-traumatic growth. He has witnessed the profound impact of yoga and meditation on veterans managing PTSD, anxiety, and depression. He is honored to support these heroes on their journeys toward healing and self- discovery.
“James Baldwin wrote, ‘The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when life and shame and sorrow occlude our own light from our view, but there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back. In our best moments, we are that person for another.’ VETOGA and those who represent it have been that light for me.”
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