Reminders & Resources for Veteran Engagement Panel (VEP) Members
Veteran Engagement panel members are integral partners of the Pain/Opioid Consortium of Research (CORE) team. The CORE welcomes their guidance and feedback on research, care, and services related to substance use harm reduction for Veterans in VA or community settings and looks forward to building relationships of mutual respect among Veterans, engagement staff, and VA investigators, clinicians, and program leaders.
Serving as an engagement partner is a new role for many Veterans. As a reminder:
- The VEP is not a clinical service of VA and engagement staff do not have a clinical relationship with VEP members. CORE staff do not have access to your medical records and cannot contact your VA medical providers.
- We’ll all work to create a welcoming and inclusive space for our meetings. We will get to know each other better through “ice breakers” at the start of each meeting. Staff will support the panel/group by facilitating meetings to maintain a professional, positive, and productive environment at our meetings.
- The VEP provides a service to VA researchers, clinicians, and leaders, it is NOT designed to be a support or therapy group. The input and feedback you share during VEP meetings will help make VA research and care better for other Veterans – the VEP is not a forum for addressing individual experiences with VA.
Not feeling well before or during a meeting?
- If you don’t feel up to attending the VEP meeting, please reach out to Malloree Argust in advance via email (malloree.argust@va.gov) text or phone (612-221-1029).
- We will stay on camera during meetings. If for any reason you are unable to be on camera for a planned meeting, please let a facilitator know. If during a meeting you need to go off camera, please just let the group know in the chat that you are there and participating, but you’ll have your camera off.
- If we are expecting you and you don’t show up for a meeting, we will follow up with you via phone/email afterwards.
Have concerns about yourself, a presenter, another panel member, or the discussion itself?
- Our VA cell phone number is 612-221-1029. At the beginning of each meeting, the facilitators will put the number in the meeting chat. You could text that you would like to talk one-on-one (either right now, or after the meeting) OR you can message a team member directly during the meeting via a private chat Web-Ex message. We will reach back out to you via private chat message, or chat call you directly, off camera.
- Some meeting topics may elicit strong feelings from VEP members, or even disagreements. If you feel a discussion is moving in a non-productive or disrespectful direction and you believe the group would benefit from a break – please raise your hand and suggest a “Time Out.” The facilitator will pause the meeting to check in with the group. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself.
- If you unexpectedly exit a meeting, a staff member will reach out to you via email/phone to make sure you’re doing ok.
Have concerns related to the panel after a meeting?
- Please reach out to the team via our VA cell phone at 612-221-1029.
Have concerns/suggestions about care or programs at your local VA?
- The Veterans Administration employs paid patient advocates at each facility – many are Veterans themselves. See the VA Patient Advocate webpage for more information.
Resources for yourself or other Veterans
The VEP isn’t a clinical service or support group for individual challenges, but we DO like to spread the word about resources out there. There have been a lot of changes in recent years to expand options for care to Veterans who may have been previously ineligible due to discharge status; expand free, easy to use apps; or just provide someone at VA to talk to – in addition to the Vet’s Crisis Line.
- Information for accessing VA mental health care can be found on their webpage or by calling 1-877-222-8387 (Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8 pm ET)
- Information on VA Harm Reduction programs can be found on their webpage
- Apps for download (Pain management, coaching, PTSD support, etc.): This website has phone numbers and information as well as links to many free apps available for download in the app store
- Military One Source from the Department of Defense webpage includes links for online counselors, financial counselors (even tax help) or call 800-342-9647.
- BeThere: Peer assistance program provided in partnership between the VA and Military One Source Offers support up to 1-year post-separation or retirement. To talk with a peer coach, call Military OneSource’s free, confidential peer support services at 1-800-342-9647 (open 24/7)
- Other peer support:
- Wounded Warrior Project
- Google “Veteran Peer Support” and your state. There are numerous state-run hotlines (e.g. in Michigan, Georgia) that are available as well
- The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7:
- Beacon Clinics Available at many local VA’s for mental health resources
- VA Welcome Kit: The VA has a (relatively new) welcome kit that even long-time VA healthcare system users may find really helpful! They provide links for benefits, eligibility, disability ratings, VA supports and programs, and emergency resources may all be found as part of this ‘welcome kit'
- MyHealthE Vet
