Nebraska

VetSET

VetSET

VetSET Nebraska works to ensure that veterans returning to rural Nebraska have the support and resources they need to successfully reintegrate into their families and communities. To prepare the entire community to be able to support veterans’ mental health and wellbeing, VetSET trains and supports organizations and agencies that interact with veterans and their families to recognize veterans’ unique needs and respond to them in a way that’s sensitive to their culture. This couldn’t be more important than in the case of recognizing veterans who are at risk of suicide.

Photo Credit: Erin Colson

 

 

How They're Solving the Problem

How They're Solving the Problem

Coalition partners are collaborating to implement the following activities:

  • Work with veterans, military service members, and their families through the health departments in 73 Nebraska counties to ensure whole communities will know how to and be ready to support veterans throughout rural Nebraska.
  • Train and support social services organizations, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, health clinics, government agencies, employers, and others that interact with veterans and their families. The training for these organizations includes not only explaining veterans’ challenges, which can cause them to feel isolated or unprepared for civilian life, but also highlighting their strengths. 
  • Work with the spouses, children, and other family members of veterans and military service members to create a trauma-informed home and community environment.

Photo Credit: Erin Colson

Impact

Impact

VetSet has ensured that local health departments in rural Nebraska understand the health and mental health needs of veterans and can respond to them in a culturally competent way. They have also trained numerous organizations and agencies that interact with veterans throughout the state, as well as assisted them with improving their veterans’ policies, which has positioned Nebraska communities to be there when their veterans need them.

Photo Credit: Morgan Hernandez

 

Participating Organizations

Nebraska Association of Local Health Directors

Local health departments throughout Nebraska

Nebraska Veteran & Family Task Force    

 

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