Providence VA Medical Center to host clergy training aimed at helping veterans

PROVIDENCE – Clergy members and others with an interest in helping veterans work through mental health and other issues while readjusting to civilian life are invited to a training program this weekend.

“Pastoral Care with Veterans and their Families” is the second in a series of four programs held at the Providence VA Medical Center.

Trainings are the result of a collaboration between the VA Office of Veterans Experience, the Veterans Health Administration’s Office of Rural Health and the National VA Chaplain Center, all of which are working with the Providence VA Medical Center to coordinate the programs.

This weekend’s event takes place on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the fifth floor auditorium of the Providence VA Medical Center main hospital building at 830 Chalkstone Ave. in Providence.

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For further details, contact Chaplain Rotunda East at 401-273-7100 ext. 2865 or email rotunda.east@va.gov.

Trainings focus on struggles that active-duty military and members of the reserves and National Guard may face when returning from deployment.

“The challenges of reintegration, coupled with issues that may be tied to their service, can result in problems that go unrecognized or develop slowly,” the Providence VA Medical Center said in a statement. “When these issues become critical, veterans often seek support and information from people they know, including their local clergy and members of the faith community.”

Upcoming programs will focus on mental health services and referrals and building partnerships within communities.