“You can’t say ‘yes’ to everything and not say ‘yes’ to taking care of yourself.”
— Shonda Rhimes
We can probably all agree that self-care is important for everyone. But, we can probably all agree that self-care for Women Veterans is even more important, as Women Veterans have a unique set of needs and experiences.
The fact is, Women Veterans shoulder immense responsibility for our families. Plus, we carry with us the emotional, mental, and physical effects of our time serving our nation. Not all of those effects are troubling — many of them are positive. But, each one of them impacts our lives on a daily basis.
Practicing self-care involves accessing healthcare, prioritizing our strength and wellness, and committing to habits that promote our overall health and happiness.
To support you, Veterans Affairs provides special tools, programs, and services, which promote self-care for Women Veterans.
4 VA Resources to Support Self-Care
🍓 Whole Health Classes
As part of VA’s “Whole Health” approach to care, Whole Health Classes are available for Women Veterans. The Whole Health approach empowers you to take control of your healthcare, develop a personal care plan with your provider, and build self-care practices into your daily life.
In addition to talking to your provider, you can take Whole Health classes, which are led by Veterans. These classes introduce you to the concept of Whole Health and familiarize you with ways to take control of your health. Online resources and information are also available.
🧘🏽♀️ Mindfulness Coach App
To assist Veterans who struggle with PTSD or other mental health issues, VA developed the Mindfulness Coach App. Available for free download on any device, the Mindfulness Coach app helps users cope with stress and ground themselves in the present moment. Use of the app is helpful for anyone who wants to improve mindfulness practices or enhance their experience with healthcare providers.
Using the app, you can learn more about mindfulness, practice mindful self-care, deepen your understanding of stress-relieving activities, and track your progress.
👩💻 Women’s Health Transition Training
A recent study shows that more than half of transitioning Women Veterans have a difficult time navigating their health benefits. The Women’s Health Transition Training aims to solve that.
WHTT is designed just for Women Veterans. The program will introduce you to VA healthcare, familiarize you with accessing care and filing a claim, and connect you to women-focused support at VA.
💕 Women Veterans Call Center
VA’s Women Veterans Call Center is a helpline staffed only by women, often by Women Veterans. The call center is open for any questions, as many times as you need to call. It’s free and confidential.
You can call to ask how to access resources, find a VA location to serve your needs, or even schedule a medical appointment. To call, dial 1-855-829-6636, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
WVIF
In effort to increase access to health care and promote self-care for Women Veterans, WVIF partners annually with VA to host a free claims clinic. Be sure to follow our social pages to learn when the next claims clinic will be!