March 2015

 
Supporting Our Veterans at ABC Action News  

The Tampa Bay community was shocked when Jamie Brunette took her own life on February 9th.  Jamie had spent 11 years as active duty Air Force and the Air Force Reserve. A vivacious athlete and scholar, she had been lauded by the Air Force for her work in Afghanistan, was a partner in a fitness center about to open in Largo and was known by her family and friends as being the "strong one" always ready to help others.  While she seemed strong and confident on the outside, Jamie with struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression.

In covering the story, ABC Action News decided they wanted to do something to promote resources available to veterans in the Tampa Bay area. During the February 25th morning newscast, they discussed the struggles many veterans face and set up a phone bank where vets could call in for emotional support and information.

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay's 2-1-1 and the Florida Veterans Support Line team took the calls coming into the station.

The team spent over an hour on the phones that morning, fielding over 40 calls from veterans in the area.  One vet even stopped by the TV station and talked with two members of the Crisis Center team in the lobby. Numerous callers stated they were willing to receive care coordination services, where a Crisis Center team member follows up with them to develop a safety plan and provide additional care.

In addition, ABC Action News promoted local and national resources available to veterans including the phone number for the Florida Veterans Support Line, a program managed by the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. Any veteran in a 5 county area can call 1-844-MyFLVet and speak with a fellow vet who understands the unique struggles and trauma veterans face.

2-1-1 and the Florida Veterans Support Line are just a sample of services provided by the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. If you're interested in learning more, be certain to attend a Crisis Center tour. You can view upcoming tour dates, by clicking HERE.