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Mental Health Resources for Black Veterans and Families | South Central MIRECC
About
The health and wellness of Black Veterans and their families matters! Black Veterans and their families face health care disparities at higher rates in areas such as sleep, stress, wellness, and dementia. Our free clinical education products teach healthy skills to address these and other mental health issues. The goal of our program is to improve access to equitable mental health care for rural and underserved Veterans of all backgrounds. Join our email list to receive SC MIRECC updates.
This toolkit is for Veterans who want to learn tools to improve their wellness.
Part of a Whole Health approach to Veterans’ well-being.
Self-paced.
Self-directed (does not require a mental health professional to use).
Sections include goal setting, understanding health, wellness tools, and additional resources.
Includes practical wellness tools, such as self-compassion, gratitude, thinking positively, and eating for vitality.
Published 2019 | Updated 2024
This product is a best practice.
Stress Less: Relaxation Enhancement Group Manuals
This brief relaxation intervention is meant to provide short-term symptom relief for anxiety and stress.
Recommended as an adjunct to established first-line treatment approaches
Includes manuals for therapists and Veterans
Therapist manual covers a comprehensive Relaxation Enhancement protocol that includes relaxation practices, resources, strategies, and a log
Veteran manual can serve as a self-help resource to identify reasons to stress less
Updated 2019
This product is a best practice.
Veterans Tai Chi for Pain and Stress
This video is a basic introduction to Tai Chi for Veterans and created by Veterans.
Can be used for mental, emotional and physical health
Helpful for people with limited ability to exercise
Can be done alone or in a group
Published 2018
This product is a best practice.
Veteran Wellness Toolkit
This toolkit is for Veterans who want to learn tools to improve their wellness.
Part of a Whole Health approach to Veterans’ well-being.
Self-paced.
Self-directed (does not require a mental health professional to use).
Sections include goal setting, understanding health, wellness tools, and additional resources.
Includes practical wellness tools, such as self-compassion, gratitude, thinking positively, and eating for vitality.
Published 2019 | Updated 2024
This product is a best practice.
Walking to Wellness: Exercise for Physical and Emotional Health
This walking program is for Veterans who want to use exercise to help manage their emotional symptoms and improve their physical health. Program materials were completely revised and updated in 2023.
For Veterans experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression symptoms.
Workbook can be used alone as a self-help guide.
Includes exercise tip sheets, activity planning worksheets, and personal logs to record experiences.
Features new supplemental guides for mindful walking and walking with a caregiver:
Integrating Mindfulness Into Walking Activities defines mindfulness and how to use mindfulness techniques when walking.
Caregiver Walking Together has information and suggestions to help caregivers walk with someone who has dementia or other cognitive impairment.
Facilitator manual provides current scientific background on exercise and mental health and gives suggestions for using the materials with individuals and groups.
Published 2015 | Updated 2023
This product is a best practice.
Management of Dementia Related Behaviors
Dementia related behaviors include wandering, impulsivity, problems with sleep and appetite, feelings of depression, suicidal thoughts, and many others. These brochures help caregivers and providers identify and manage dementia-related behaviors.
Caregiver brochure defines dementia related behaviors, describes causes and treatments for these behaviors, and lists tips and services to encourage caregiver wellness.
Provider brochure is available in pocket and letter sizes and describes evaluation, contributing factors, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of dementia related behaviors.
Both brochures highlight resources for support.
Published 2020
This product is a best practice.
PACERS: Program for Advancing Cognitive disorders Education for Rural Staff (6 HOURS CEU)
PACERS aims to improve outcomes for Veterans and their caregivers, especially those living in rural communities. It has 6 e-learning courses and 5 videos. Physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and counselors can get continuing education credit for the courses.
Identify the signs symptoms, evaluation, and treatment of delirium and dementia/dementia subtypes
Identify dementia warning signs
Learn how to apply dementia diagnostic skills by completing two case-based studies of Veterans presenting with signs of cognitive impairment
Learn about the differences between normal and abnormal cognitive aging and the importance of being a caregiver and available resources
Learn topics related to decision-making, advanced-care planning and safety
Learn how to address diminished driving skills and decision-making in older drivers with dementia and their families
Published 2016
This product is a best practice.
Article: Recognizing African‐American Contributions to Neurology: The Role of Solomon Carter Fuller (1872–1953) in Alzheimer's Disease Research
This free open access article by Hamzah Mohammed highlights Solomon Carter Fuller, the first African-American psychiatrist and a pioneer in Alzheimer's disease. Mohammad introduces readers to the impact of racial inequality in medicine and brings the underrecognized accomplishments of Dr. Fuller in Alzheimer's disease research to light.
Details Dr. Fuller's career contributions to neurology and psychiatry
Discusses racial disparities that exist in the provision of mental health care in the U.S. to African Americans
Highlights the larger impact of racial discrimination against African Americans working in medicine and science in the past and today
Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
