A Day to Change Direction


VFW Auxiliary National President Colette Bishop


joined VFW Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief B.J. Lawrence in Washington, D.C., for an inaugural community outreach project that had Auxiliary and VFW members working together across the nation and around the world to bring awareness to mental health and access to care in the veteran community. Tis day of service, called “A Day to Change Direction,”


and pledges of future days of service supported the Campaign to Change Direction and its parent organization, Give an Hour, with whom the Auxiliary and VFW have joined forces to address and recognize the signs of mental health suffering. Bishop and Lawrence partnered with 120 Auxiliary and


VFW volunteers and Give an Hour partners to help out at D.C.’s Armed Forces Retirement Home and spent the afternoon interacting with residents. More than 200 Auxiliaries and Posts joined in “A Day to


Change Direction” and many more engaged in its live social media events. Te Campaign to Change Direction encourages reaching


out, connecting, inspiring hope and offering help to address the five signs of mental health suffering: personality change, agitation, withdrawal, poor self-care and hopelessness. “We are extremely proud of our partnership with the


VFW and VFW Auxiliary—and so grateful that they have joined us in this effort to change the culture of mental health in America,” said Give an Hour Founder and President Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph.D. “Te VFW is one of the most well recognized and


respected organizations in our country. Because of the reach of the VFW and the Auxiliary, we will be able to move more quickly to educate, engage and inspire veterans, their families and community members. Because of their commitment to this critical mission, we will be able to reach those who are suffering and save lives.” Take a look at the photos to see how members got


involved in “A Day to Change Direction.” To learn more about the campaign or to find local


resources, visit changedirection.org. For veterans in crisis, another resource available 24 hours a day is the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.


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