Life Guard

Published October 17, 2006

My DH works for the National Guard full-time. These folks have been deployed, and returned home just like everyone else serving.

Reintergration and deployments have been difficult for some. My Dear Husband and I believe it is couragous to ask for help when you need it, or want it.

The "unit" here has been lucky enough to be part of a "pilot program called Life Guard Workshops, from the Veterans Healthcare System. Call your VA, or Family Readiness Group and see if this may be an option for you.

Who is the program for?

All returning OEF/OIF veterans are encouraged to participate as well as their spouses/significant others. Also veterans concerned about fellow veterans and family members concerned about themselves or others they love.

What are the objectives of a Life Guard workshop?

Participants will learn how to apply workshop skills in their own lives. They will learn how to use metaphors & analogies as memory aids and as useful way to introduce skills to peers and others in whom they are concerned. Participants will learn how to recognize when to introduce skills to peers and how to teach these skills to their peers.

When and where are the workshops held?

Workshops are held at different locations throughout the state away from the military and/or clinical setting and are scheduled to be held quarterly or more often as requested by units. Dates and locations will be announced and will be added to our web-site calendar of events as scheduled.

Stateside: 1-800-342-9647

Overseas: OCONUS Universal Free Phone: 800-3429-6477 (Use applicable access code before dialing the toll-free number. Codes can be found online.)

Collect from overseas: 484-530-5908. (Please call the international operator first and provide this number. The operator will connect you to Military OneSource.)