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<p>MCC's Counseling Office maintains an excellent relationship with the college's Veteran Services Office. If you are having academic difficulties or have questions regarding your VA educational benefits please reach out to Veteran's Services Director <strong>Eric Wheeler</strong>, a fellow veteran, or <strong>Lori Bartkovich</strong> (<strong>292-2248</strong>) or <a href="mailto:veterans@monroecc.edu">veterans@monroecc.edu</a> as they are glad to assist with any questions you have. MCC's Veterans Services Office maintains extensive relationships with the VA's VITAL Program, Veterans Outreach Center, Employers Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and a host of other community agencies who may be able to assist you during these challenging times</p>
<p>As we know, currently, there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection and no medication(s) for treating it.</p>
<p>The Center for Disease Control (CDC) believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and therefore recommends we avoid exposure and avoid exposing others to the disease with these simple steps:</p>
<p>• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.<br />• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.<br />• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.<br />• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.<br />• Stay home when you are ill or becoming sick.<br />• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.<br />• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.<br />• Get a flu shot.<br />• Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team before any urgent problems arise.</p>
<p>Mental health tips<br />• Stay informed but limit your news intake. Too much information and 24/7 news intake can be overwhelming and distressing<br />• This virus has plunged the world into uncertainty and uncertainty can morph into anxiety. Anxiety is the fear of being out of control. To help yourself feel more in control ,set small goals to achieve. The feeling of achievement can give you a feeling of control<br />• Exercise. Most of us know the many physical benefits of exercise: weight control, lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of diabetes, and increases energy, just to name a few benefits. Additionally, there are psycho-emotional benefits from exercising. It can help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. There's no shortage of mental health benefits from exercise as simple as just taking a brisk walk.<br />• Take mental health days from work-Your mind needs rest just as your body needs rest to recuperate from activities<br />• "Keep in touch with fellow veterans and assist them in navigating this new environment if they are having a hard time. Teach them how to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store as VA increases virtual health and mental health appointment availability.<br /><br />Military retirees covered under Tricare and veterans using VA care can receive a free test for COVID-19 if they meet the following conditions:</p>
<p>• You live in an area with community spread of COVID-19<br />• You have symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath<br />• You have traveled to one of the affected areas (i.e., Italy, China or South Korea)<br />• You have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19</p>
<p>According to Tricare, COVID-19 testing is free for all beneficiaries. While there will be no cost if a network or non-provider ordered the test, copays or cost-sharing will still apply for the doctor's visit.<br />Both Tricare and the VA are asking patients not to go directly to a medical center without calling first.<br />VA patients will receive information on the next steps for testing by downloading the VA's Telehealth app--VA Video Connect--or calling VA's nurse advice line, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (202) 745-8000.</p>
<p>Veterans benefits and services, including payments, will continue to veterans, families and survivors through the duration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>The VA is now encouraging all of its patients to receive care by phone or video, instead of an in-person visit for non-emergency needs.</p>
<p>For additional information about how the VA is responding to the ongoing pandemic, visit the department's coronavirus FAQs page.</p>
<p>As a Veteran, you have been uniquely trained in emergency response situations. Your resilience and strength can assist others during these times. Connection can also happen when you give back to your community by sharing your expertise and support with family, friends, and neighbors through acts of kindness and volunteer opportunities which will arise.</p>
<p>We in the Counseling Center and in Veteran's Services salute you and thank you for your service and ask you to stay safe!</p>
<p>Veteran resource list: https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/coronavirus-covid-19-resources-for-service-members-and-veterans/<br /><br />*Mental health tips for Veterans during COVID-19: https://www.michiganveterans.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00Pt000000L8hJKEAZ<br /><br />*For veterans experiencing a crisis, help is available through the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, and press 1, or text 838255, or chat www.VeteransCrisisLine.net.<br /><br />*List of VA mental health apps with a focus on mindfulness, parenting, and managing PTSD-related symptoms and stress: https://www.mobile.va.gov/appstore/mental-health<br /><br />*Mental Health and COVID-19 Information and Resources: https://mhanational.org/covid19<br /><br /></p>
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MCC Daily Tribune

Veterans and the Coronavirus

As a member of the Counseling Center, I am both a licensed mental health counselor and an Army infantry Veteran. My colleagues and I watched in dread as the COVID-19 Virus spreads across the United States and around the world. Being a Veteran, having siblings and a spouse who are veterans, and at one time being the administrator of Veterans' Services at Monroe Community College, I have a special interest in veteran's health and safety.

MCC's Counseling Office maintains an excellent relationship with the college's Veteran Services Office. If you are having academic difficulties or have questions regarding your VA educational benefits please reach out to Veteran's Services Director Eric Wheeler, a fellow veteran, or Lori Bartkovich (292-2248) or veterans@monroecc.edu as they are glad to assist with any questions you have. MCC's Veterans Services Office maintains extensive relationships with the VA's VITAL Program, Veterans Outreach Center, Employers Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and a host of other community agencies who may be able to assist you during these challenging times

As we know, currently, there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection and no medication(s) for treating it.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and therefore recommends we avoid exposure and avoid exposing others to the disease with these simple steps:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are ill or becoming sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Get a flu shot.
• Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team before any urgent problems arise.

Mental health tips
• Stay informed but limit your news intake. Too much information and 24/7 news intake can be overwhelming and distressing
• This virus has plunged the world into uncertainty and uncertainty can morph into anxiety. Anxiety is the fear of being out of control. To help yourself feel more in control ,set small goals to achieve. The feeling of achievement can give you a feeling of control
• Exercise. Most of us know the many physical benefits of exercise: weight control, lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of diabetes, and increases energy, just to name a few benefits. Additionally, there are psycho-emotional benefits from exercising. It can help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. There's no shortage of mental health benefits from exercise as simple as just taking a brisk walk.
• Take mental health days from work-Your mind needs rest just as your body needs rest to recuperate from activities
• "Keep in touch with fellow veterans and assist them in navigating this new environment if they are having a hard time. Teach them how to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store as VA increases virtual health and mental health appointment availability.

Military retirees covered under Tricare and veterans using VA care can receive a free test for COVID-19 if they meet the following conditions:

• You live in an area with community spread of COVID-19
• You have symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath
• You have traveled to one of the affected areas (i.e., Italy, China or South Korea)
• You have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19

According to Tricare, COVID-19 testing is free for all beneficiaries. While there will be no cost if a network or non-provider ordered the test, copays or cost-sharing will still apply for the doctor's visit.
Both Tricare and the VA are asking patients not to go directly to a medical center without calling first.
VA patients will receive information on the next steps for testing by downloading the VA's Telehealth app--VA Video Connect--or calling VA's nurse advice line, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (202) 745-8000.

Veterans benefits and services, including payments, will continue to veterans, families and survivors through the duration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The VA is now encouraging all of its patients to receive care by phone or video, instead of an in-person visit for non-emergency needs.

For additional information about how the VA is responding to the ongoing pandemic, visit the department's coronavirus FAQs page.

As a Veteran, you have been uniquely trained in emergency response situations. Your resilience and strength can assist others during these times. Connection can also happen when you give back to your community by sharing your expertise and support with family, friends, and neighbors through acts of kindness and volunteer opportunities which will arise.

We in the Counseling Center and in Veteran's Services salute you and thank you for your service and ask you to stay safe!

Veteran resource list: https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/coronavirus-covid-19-resources-for-service-members-and-veterans/

*Mental health tips for Veterans during COVID-19: https://www.michiganveterans.com/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=00Pt000000L8hJKEAZ

*For veterans experiencing a crisis, help is available through the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, and press 1, or text 838255, or chat www.VeteransCrisisLine.net.

*List of VA mental health apps with a focus on mindfulness, parenting, and managing PTSD-related symptoms and stress: https://www.mobile.va.gov/appstore/mental-health

*Mental Health and COVID-19 Information and Resources: https://mhanational.org/covid19

 

 

E. Watkins
Counseling Center & Disability Services
05/11/2020