Maintaining Mental and Economic Wellness During COVID-19 and 2020 Visions

Welcome, one and all, to the first installment of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Podcast with host, Terrence Hayes. The VFW organization values veterans, active duty service members, and their families. It is so much more than telling war stories at the Post. Through this communications platform, we are intent on changing past perceptions and showcasing the inclusivity, community assistance, and mental health and wellness programs available to VFW members.

In this episode, VFW National Commander, Harold "Hal" Roesch II, chats about his first 30 days, his priorities for the VFW organization for the balance of 2020, and what to expect in 2021. Give An Hour CEO, Dr. Randy Phelps, shares ways members and their families can cope with isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and how to seek help if challenged with mental health concerns as a result of the isolation. VFW Director of Programs, Lynn Rolf, shares the wealth of programs the VFW provides its veterans, service members, and families and specifics on how to utilize the well-established Unmet Needs Program.

VFW National Commander, Harold "Hal" Roesch —

• The new Commander in Chief summarizes his 2020 Vision for the VFW organization. [3:38]

• The challenges COVID-19 brings to the VFW community. [7:23]

• Changing the perception of VFW Posts to family-friendly gathering places. [10:17]

• Looking at the tremendous impact of the Unmet Needs Program. [16:23]

• What to expect from the VFW organization in the next 12 months. [21:10]

Chief Executive Officer of Give an Hour, Dr. Randy Phelps —

• Dr. Phelps describes the Give an Hour Program, which has donated over 300,000 hours of free mental health care to veterans and their families. [24:16]

• Why individuals reach out for the treatment of physical ailments, yet those with mental health issues often remain silent. [28:19]

• How the Campaign to Change Direction directly addresses the five signs of emotional suffering. [37:34]

• Dr. Phelps shares some of the wellness resources available on the Give an Hour website. [43:01]

VFW's Director of Programs, Lynn Rolf —

• Lynn describes how the Unmet Needs Program provides veterans and active duty service members with life-saving economic assistance. [47:41]

• How to donate to the Unmet Needs Program. [53:40]

For more information or continue the conversation, please visit:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Website

VFW Podcast Page

@VFWHQ on Twitter

VFW on Facebook

Give an Hour Website

VFW Unmet Needs Program

Call 1-888-JOIN-VFW

Text 'NEEDS' to 20222 to donate to the Unmet Needs Program