Brandon Miller, Public Information Manager
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
PRATTVILLE, Ala. – The Partners of Alabama’s Challenge and City of Prattville will host a Veterans Well-Being Town Hall and Resource Fair on Friday, March 28 starting at 1 p.m. at the Doster Center.
The event serves as an educational opportunity for Veterans and loved ones that aims to improve well-being and livelihood in the River Region through engagement, awareness, and participation. The town hall will feature Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commission member Jeff Newton, Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie, and Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce Director Patty VanderWal.
Along with learning about resources available in the River Region, Veterans will have an opportunity to voice their opinions about services needed and provide insight into any gaps in care they have experienced.
The resource fair will provide an opportunity to meet with local ADVA Veterans Service Officers to learn more about how to apply for VA benefits, file for VA compensation and pension claims, access healthcare services, and discuss additional Veterans-related programs. Other well-being and mental health-related resources from the Prattville community and River Region will be in attendance, as well.
The two-part event is inspired by a statewide effort called Alabama’s Challenge for Preventing Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF), which aims to combat the continuing stigma Veterans face with mental illness. Recently released data shows 139 Veterans in Alabama died by suicide in 2022, which is a rate higher than the national veteran average and significantly higher than the national civilian average.
You can learn more about Alabama’s Challenge and Veterans well-being resources by visiting www.vetsforhope.com
Follow the ADVA on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alsdva
Their website is Web: www.va.alabama.gov
