It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long since First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden launched their new initiative, Joining Forces, with the hope that it:

Inspires, educates, and sparks action from all sectors of our society–citizens, communities, businesses, non-profits, faith based institutions, philanthropic organizations, and government – to ensure veterans and military families have the opportunities, resources, and support they have earned.

Despite the fact that it was only announced last month, Joining Forces is already having an effect on participating groups–as evidenced by the Veterans Crisis Hotline Public Service Announcements (PSAs) sent my way last week. They are a joint effort from Blue Star Families and The Creative Coalition, and were shot in a very short window of time at the Cannes Film Festival, with some famous faces taking part.

We posted the PSAs on Facebook this weekend, and here is some of the feedback we received.  We’d love to hear your thoughts, too:

Thanks for this post; now let’s get these on all networks during prime time!

I’m married to a Veteran who lives with PTSD and its great to know there are people out there who want to help because they need all the help they can get… THANK YOU so much.

It isn’t always an easy task, knowing where to go for help or being unafraid of telling the raw truth of what we deal or have dealt with…Transitioning is difficult for so many… Yet there is help. My first real step was calling the number above…

Thank you for this. I’m a vet just trying to get through day to day. Some days are worse than others. I keep this number handy.

Topics in this story

Blue Star FamiliesDepartment of Veterans AffairsHealthJoining ForcesMental HealthNews ReleasesVA InnovationVSO / Partners

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8 Comments

  1. Pam Richardson June 8, 2011 at 10:29

    Since the only job that is hiring is massaging the penis where are disable veterans suppose to get jobs?

  2. Concerned Vet May 19, 2011 at 22:09

    Eddie
    Dont give up…that is exactly what the VA wants you to do. Someone said that only about 4% of claims are approved on the “first round”. This means pretty much everybody has to appeal to get benefits. Denials at the VA are like Boot Camp was.
    Hang in there and go to a good website, where you get the truth, like http://www.hadit.com
    You can also get help there, where we dont leave Vets behind.
    And, NO, I am not a spokesperson for hadit, just a Vet who has been helped by some great Vets there.

    • Brian Greenberg July 9, 2011 at 01:57

      I agree with the Concerned Vet. Get help to deal with all the bureaucratic paperwork required. Don’t give up.

  3. Eddie D. Palacios May 18, 2011 at 14:01

    I AM A TWO TIME VIETNAM VET. ALTHOUGH I WAS IN A COMBAT SUPPORT ROLE, I WAS DIAGNOISED WITH PTSD. BASICALLY, THE VA IS DENIING ME COMPENSATION BECAUSE I WAS NOT DIRECTLY IN COMBAT. I DIDN’T WRITE DOWN THE DATE, TIME OR PLACE THAT FREAKED ME OUT, YET, SOME NON MILITARY EXPERIENCED, YOUNG COLLEGE GRAD SAYS I HAVE TOO FOR CONSIDERATION. THIS MESSAGE IS FOR MR. ALEX HORTON, CAUSE I’M ABOUT TO DO WHAT THE VA HOPES, AND THAT’S GIVING UP ON FILING MY CLAIM. ALL I’M LOOKING FOR IS CLEAR GUIDENCE.

  4. National Whistleblower Allen Carlton May 15, 2011 at 20:05

    In the American Holocaust the national goal is that of Executive Order 12871 reduce government (we the people) population control and reduce government spending liabilities (undesirables ie veterans, veterans awards, veterans benefits) death fix it (deficit) suicides and executions through terminal injustice (ambush attack) whose counting.
    http://www.scribd.com/doc/17286921/The-America-Betrayal
    http://www.scribd.com/doc/52621308/Beyond-Bullying

  5. Concerned Vet May 13, 2011 at 22:27

    This is classic VA spin, which benefits politicians, not Veterans. These ads make it sound like Vets can make one simple phone call and their problems will be solved. The reality is far different: The VA has been criticized by the courts for providing inadequate medical care: http://kuow.org/program.php?id=23406
    Veterans seeking benefits is even worse, with a million man backlog and growing. The president wont appoint new judges to the CAVC so we dont expect the backlog to be reduced any time soon. Its all political propaganda with no substance.

    • MBA in India, MBA July 1, 2011 at 03:48

      In many states of India engineering is almost a religion that every student has to follow. Barring the metros other courses like Commerce, Arts are unheard of in many states. However the benefit a student derives from an engineering course is dependant on his attitude and desire for the course.

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