There is no graver decision made by our elected leaders than to go to war. Thus as a citizen of a democracy, I believe that we make a contract with our fellow citizens who serve in the military. They uphold a solemn oath to protect our freedoms. In exchange for their service, we should support them in time of return to reclaim their civilian lives. Give An Hour has a proven track record of providing mental healthcare to our returning veterans. These important skills help with the most common costs to our military from our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: brain injuries due to post traumatic stress. In addition, the veterans provide the nation with a model to manage our number one healthcare problem: brain disease in its many forms, especially substance abuse disorders and suicide. Science, technology and healthcare provide real remedies and treatment for these problems. We must push forward to improve the data. One in five Americans are afflicted; yet only ten percent of these individuals seek and get the care which will improve their health and address their problems. As well current data shows that our returning veterans are waiting in excess of 100 days for their first appointment for care from the VA. Also half of the returning veterans are using private health insurance for their medical needs. Give An Hour is doing its utmost best to fill that gap by providing mental healthcare services pro bono to our returning veterans.
11/27/20 I am writing this review because I want other callers to know they are not alone in being disconnected while speaking with a lady who talks with military families of vets. I phoned back and I got a guy, who decided to screen me for suicide which he said was mandatory but why didn't the first lady screen me for suicide? There is inconsistency with two different people I spoke with by phone this am. In addition, the second guy was not listening to me and he kept saying future counseling would be for my son--I have no idea where he is--I asked for counseling for families of Afghanistan war vets, specifically, for myself, the mother of the distressed Afghanistan PTSD vet. I pity anyone who calls this website; I was better off before I called than after I called and experienced a distinct lack of professionalism and caring over simple facts. What is going on here? How can you fix severe problems with allege phone help for distressed mothers of Afghanistan vets?
I have only scheduled my first visit with a provider, so I didn't want to give a rating just yet. Since, I couldn't post a review without choosing a rating I just went with the middle. I must say thus far, I'm worried. The first provider I called at 8am, it's now 1pm and no one has returned my call. The second provider I called, had poor phone professionalism/courtesy and kept giving me the wrong appointment time when confirming my information and appointment date and time. Fingers crossed...... On a good note, I didn't have to wait a ridiculous amount of time for an appointment (2 day turn around).
The review is about the mental health folks that volunteer through Giveanhour.org.
Someone listed in the site agreed to speak with me a couple of years ago or so. After that, he hardly returns messages or keeps any of the so-called appointments (by phone only).
There's been issues where I don't understand what he says over the phone, he speaks very fast, and I'm not sure if he's understood me. I'm not sure if it's just a linguistic issue so I don't understand why someone would agree to provide services to also put someone on dissabiliy, and doesn't answer messages. I thought we could come up with a plan to target issues in the conversations. I haven't been able to speak with him for about a month. It's not like the person has two jobs or is located faraway.
I'm not sure if he's just waiting for me to go homeless or for things to get worse than they already have.
I'm not too hopeful about reaching out to others in that capacity. I called over a dozen of folks and most say they didn't know they were listed, or would just not return calls.
Another time, I had to remind him of the confidentiality because I'm also looking for work in the same are where he is at, and I know he consults.
I tried meeting at a public place like a library since it would make the communication better, but he says he had only made the agreement for phone support even though his post says phone and person.
The support and help is fantastic. It gives extra resources for veterans and their families, when they otherwise would have to struggle.
Review from Guidestar
Our non-profit organization, Veterans On the Rise, Inc., a local 501(c) 3 serving homeless veterans and veteran families, was selected as the host location for the Give An Hour Celebration of Service. Our leadership worked collaboratively with GIve An Hour leadership, and leadership from CIty Year Care Force to identify over 100 volunteers who came to Veterans On the Rise, Inc to perform beautifying activities. Over 60 of the volunteers came from Give An Hour. It was clear that the volunteers who participated in the event were committed to providing valuable services to veterans in need. Give An Hour services are a much needed component of bridging the mental health care gap for many veterans and veterans families. We created murals, added mulch to common area, and invited a strong since of community partnership between mental health care professionals, civilians and service members on that day. We are so grateful for the connection our team forged with the Give An Hour organization on that day.
What a great organization that knows how to keep on giving! Not only is Give an Hour leading they way in providing mental health services to our country, but they are showing our country how to give back to others, making our communities stronger. Thanks for what you do!
The objective to provide guidance and support to our nation's veterans is a mission that is ever more important in today's world. Give an Hour provides just that at a level that is unparalleled in the non-profit community. Their team is committed to providing the highest level of support to the men and women - and their families - who have served our country proudly and are now looking for help.
The issues that Give an Hour takes on are real problems. However, with their continued efforts, real solutions are formed for our nation's heroes.
Through my association with active duty military and Veterans, I have seen the tremendous need for the work done by Give an Hour. Dr. Barbara Van Dahlan and her team are tireless advocates for destigmatizing the mental health issues that plague our nation's heroes, allowing them to get the help the need, and ultimately, saving and rebuilding lives.
Debbie Gregory, CEO
Military Connection
As a military wife during Viet Nam and having a son in Desert Storm, I know how important it is to have an organization that helps serve our returning veterans and their families. That is why I am a volunteer.
I think it is an exceptional organization. In addition to providing mental health services, Give an Hour has volunteers who offer their expertise to Wounded Warriors, TAPS, Rolling Thunder, Got Your 6, and the list goes on!!
To provide free mental health services to our veterans and their families in every state of the union, plus Guam and Puerto Rico, is an amazing accomplishment by Give and Hour and their volunteers. Give an Hour is where I intend to continue volunteering my time and energy.
To see so many volunteers and beneficiaries come together for the first GAH Gala in May was exhilarating. Hearing the stories of heartache and pain experienced by returning soldiers and how Give An Hour has given them and their loved ones hope through free counseling helping them and society by having these men and women heal and engage in their future. I was so pleased to help this organization select recipients for grants for grass routes efforts to support soldiers/ veterans and those they love to get support in their local communities.
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It had been on my mind to find out how I could make a contribution to our military families when a friend told me about the mission of Give An Hour. There are a variety of ways to make a difference for the men, women and their extended families who need mental health support as a result of their combat experiences and the absence or loss of family members. This program is made up of professionals who can give their therapeutic expertise to support soldiers and loved ones as they reenter their home environment and cope the challenges they meet. No more suffering in silence as in the past. Give An Hour gives a voice to the suffering.
Being a military parent, myself, and an independent Military Outreach Support Advocate, I have engaged with a network of over 50,000-80,000 individuals, most all who have experienced having a loved one, friend or family member deployed at some point in time over the last ten years we have been engaged in war in Iraq and/or Afghanistan.
When any of these individuals reaches out to me, seeking local counseling services, it is vital for me to find them support... now.
Many of them have reached their breaking point... and they become stressed-out even moreso when they find out that they cannot afford the cost of the counseling, or there isn't a facility or mental health provider agency nearby.
Give an Hour removes these two obstacles. Through their network of providers and counselors, I am able to help the person in need of counseling, finding a resource nearby where they live; a counselor readily available... giving them hope that help is available almost immediately.
There is absolutely no cost to the person in need... the counseling services are free... they do not have to pay any monetary fee, whatsoever, to the counselor.
MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS: If you are a mental health provider, donating one hour a week of your invaluable talent and profession can make an incalculable difference in someone else's life... counseling a mom who is overwhelmed with anxiety and stress worrying about her son or daughter who is currently deployed for the first time, or on a second or third deployment; counseling the returning service member who is battling the invisible wound of reoccurring nightmares or reliving what they witnessed in combat; counseling the parent or child of a service member who has returned from deployment, and whose behavior has turned to violence and abuse due to alcohol or drug addiction... your services are in dire need. Please make contact with Give an Hour.
VOLUNTEER: There are not enough mental health providers available, today, to adequately meet the volume of those in need of counseling. If you know of social workers or counselors who might be willing to donate one hour of their time; or, if you know of someone who is in need of counseling... ask them to view the Give an Hour website ( www.giveanhour.org )
I attend as many community events, job fairs, health fairs or veteran events to network and connect with as many people that I possible can to inform them of the Give an Hour non-profit, and the services that are available. I also ask that if they are not a mental health provider, but are a charitable organization themselves who might need volunteers, that they make contact with a Give an Hour to reach other volunteers in their community or nearby.
Making a difference in someone else's life... giving them a sense of hope, enabling them to live life as opposed to merely existing... that is the true definition to describe Give an Hour.
Give An Hour is an exceptional organization which provides free mental health services to soldiers once they have returned home. The organization's Founder and President, Barbara Van Dahlen is an amazing person who is able to bring people together to support returning soldiers and military families. We are working with Give An Hour to launch a television program to create awareness for community organizations and in almost every meeting or call, Barbara is a source of inspiration for people and she wows anyone who comes into contact with her. It is not unusual when leaving a meeting to have someone openly approach Barbara afterwards, telling her how she has inspired them or is amazed by the work she is doing. In addition to caring for those who serve in the Armed Forces, Barbara manages to raise a family and understand the important balance of family in life. Her outstanding work and dedication to supporting our troops puts Barbara in a league of her own.
Virtually all the national mental health professional associations are partners with Give An Hour, and that is the case as well with the American Psychological Association, the nation's largest association of psychologists, with 150,000 members and affiliates. APA collaborates with Give An Hour as a supporting partner because we share in GAH's commitment to military personnel, veterans and their families who may require mental health services as a consequence of serving our country at war. As a result of this partnership, APA disseminates information about GAH and its mission to our members who wish to volunteer their services and to the public at large, and we are honored to assist with the outstanding work of GAH.
Give an Hour serves a vitally important role in providing no-cost mental health services to our military personnel and their families. By supporting Give an Hour financially, every American can make a direct and very positive contribution to those who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms we are blessed to enjoy in America. Please support this worthy cause by making a donation to Give an Hour. Thank you.
I cannot think of a better use for all of our time and talents than to assist those who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms. Give An Hour mission not only makes life better for those it serves directly, it benefits all of society by helping these valuable individuals function to their potential in society.
Give an Hour leverages skills based volunteers (mental health care professionals) to give their time using their skills and talents to provide mental health services to service members and their families who are affected by the current conflicts.
Give An Hour has inspired me to believe in "the power of one". Give An Hour was formed as a result of 1 young girl's observation of a homeless veteran, which inspired 1 woman to found an organization where 1 person can donate 1 hour of their time, expertise, skills etc to better the lives of our military personnel and their families.
The idea is so simplistic; so easy for every 1 of us to become involved... and Give An Hour does a wonderful job harnessing the collective power of it's volunteer network to deliver mental health services to military personnel and their families.
As a Director of Psychological Health who works in collaboration with the FL National Guard, I frequently use Give an Hour providers as an absolutely vital resource in getting Soldiers much needed behavioral health treatment. If Give an Hour providers were not partners in our state, there would be a critical void of services and National Guard Soldiers and their families would not have access to treatment. My thanks to all FL Give an Hour providers for the services they render.
I am a Licensed Counselor and the mother of an Iraq veteran who had significant issues "coming home". At that time, GAH had not been created and with limited options, I paid a great deal to get the care my son needed. As a result of our own journey, we created Veterans' Families United as a user friendly and compassionate resource to help veterans and families navigate the system and to empower them with choices. GAH has been at the top of my list for referrals since that time. Consistently, they extend timely and much needed resources for vets and families, many of whom are in remote areas and/or have few options for support. In my opinion, they are one of the most pure in their intentions of serving those who have served our country and they embody the essence of community.
I have been a Board Member of Give an Hour since its inception in 2006. I do not have a Military Background but have always been inspired by those who devote so much of themselves to our country. I had been looking for ways to give back to those who give so much and Give an Hour afforded me a great opportunity to have an impact. Our focus has been on ensuring returning military (and their families) have access to free mental health services. We currently have over 6000 mental health professionals in our network who confidentially "give an hour" of their time each week to support those service members in need. There are so many heartwarming stories we hear from both recipients of the free mental health services and the mental health providers themselves that demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of others. It is so inspiring to hear about the individuals whose lives have been turned around by having free confidential access to trained mental health professionals. Everyday I am grateful that I am afforded a chance to make a difference in other's lives through Give an Hour. It is truly a great organization and one that has and will continue to make a difference. The best is yet to come....
I am a Bereavement Coordinator for a nonprofit that works to support military families who have lost loved ones while serving on active duty. I regularly use Give-an-Hour to find counselors for families who otherwise would not qualify or not be able to afford counseling. This resource is absolutely VITAL to the reintegration and resilience of America's Families of the Fallen. The program is well-run and reliable, and I can always trust that the families I refer to Give-an-Hour counselors will be well cared for.
Review from Guidestar
Give An Hour is a critical resource for members of the military, veterans and their loved ones. We know that those who experience combat return home facing significant challenges including mental health issues and there are simply not enough mental health providers to care for them. Give An Hour is a professional organization that has recruited a large base of mental health providers, including professional social workers, to provide competent care to service men and women, and their loved ones, during their time of need. The organization has developed a simple, straightforward method of caring for these individuals. Those interested in receiving counseling, simply sign up at giveanhour.org. They can choose from a list of providers in their area. It is easy and confidential. This organization has become the “go-to” service for those who may not want to seek care elsewhere. It has also become an important resource for social workers who want to give back to a population that has risked everything to protect our country.
Review from Guidestar