Amazon Global Military Affairs and VETOGA are joining forces for National Suicide Prevention in September by offering a Mental Health and Well-Being 14 Day Challenge September 11-24. Help welcome our new partner Mates4Mates!

Our intention behind this year’s challenge is to bring awareness to Mental Health and Suicide Awareness 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

Suicide is a national public Mental Health challenge that causes tremendous pain for individuals, families and communities across the country.

• On average, 132 Americans die by suicide each day accounting for 47,511 suicide deaths in 2019
• In 2019, there were an estimated 1.38 million suicide attempts
• The average number of veteran suicides per day was 17.6 in 2018
• Suicide is also the 10^th leading cause of death among all ages and the 2^nd leading cause of death among those ages 10-34 in the U.S.

What you can expect…
During the 14-day challenge, there will be daily meditation, pranayama (breathing), asana (movement), yoga Nidra (guided relaxation), and journaling. 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 (sponsored by Amazon Global Military Affairs) to an upcoming VETOGA Teacher Training. Other prizes include: beautiful Mala Beads from MalaforVets, and other VETOGA t-shirts and swag bags.

Become and advocate for suicide prevention: Click here!

This will be fun and challenging and we are excited to invite you into our community to spread awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

Thank you & Namaste,
The VETOGA Family

Veteran Resources

The following resources are available from Veterans Affairs:

• Veterans Crisis Line — If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 1-800-273-8255, then PRESS 1 or visit veteranscrisisline.net. For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.
• 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.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) — Request a Peer Mentor.
• 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.

If you live in the Los Angeles area, join us at Yoga Loft (El Porto) Come out and join us for our VETOGA community class. This class will be led by VETOGA founder and Marine Corps veteran, Justin Blazejewski. In the Dharma Yoga tradition, the class will be a flow series of postures, incorporating breath work, chant, and a guided relaxation, yoga Nidra Suitable for all levels. You will leave the class feeling relaxed and refreshed. Come show your support for your local military and veteran community!

FREE EVENT – but donations are gratefully accepted for VETOGA non-profit. Donate here.

VETOGA seeks to build sustainable communities by bringing the healing aspects of yoga to veterans, their families, and communities. We provide access to a range of healing modalities to facilitate healthy minds, bodies and spirits. Sustainable communities are created through our 200-Hour Teacher Trainings. Teacher Trainings equip veterans with the holistic tools and teachings to continue to pass on the healing power of yoga.

Donations will go to VETOGA Incorporated, a healing arts program that services our veterans and their care providers. VETOGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are tax-exempt.

Yoga Loft, 3618 Highland Ave, El Porto CA 92008
More info: info@yogaloftmb.com

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If you live in Southern California, join us at Yoga on State for a special community yoga class led by Marine Corps veteran and VETOGA CEO, Justin Blazejewski.

Free event to all service members, veterans, law enforcement, emergency responders, and their families. Suggested donation class for civilians who want to join and support VETOGA, active military, and veterans. All are welcome!!! Donate here.

Our mission is to provide yoga, meditation, and healing arts to military, veterans, their families, and communities. We seek to build a supportive community, of both veterans and non-veterans, and to provide an opportunity to experience a wide variety of the Healing Arts.

We will start with an all-levels yoga class available to everyone. We will stretch, breathe and cultivate our connection with body-heart-mind-spirit. The class concludes with Yoga Nidra, a deep relaxation that aims to release that which no longer serves us.

Donations will go to VETOGA Incorporated, a healing arts program that services our veterans and their care providers. VETOGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are tax-exempt.

Yoga on State, 2697 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008
More info: info@yogaonstate.com

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