ICYMI - Yoga for Whole Health, #BeThere to help prevent suicide, and other VA Top Stories - April 19, 2019

"This Week at VA" is a digital newsletter with top news and stories from across the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

TOP PHOTO: Marine Corps Veteran Lohrke Armstrong (right) participates in a yoga class held at the Fort Worth VA Outpatient Clinic. Yoga is just one of many programs offered to our Veterans through recreation therapy at several VA medical facilities. (Photo by Jennifer Roy for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) READ MORE ABOUT YOGA FOR WHOLE HEALTH TOP STORIES Preventing Veteran suicide begins when you are willing to #BeThere You don't need to have special training to support the Veterans in your life, and we can all do something to help a Veteran who is going through a difficult time. READ MORE American Legion Auxiliary partners with VA to help Veterans find their way around VA hospitals The VA is proud to have this continued partnership with the ALA to support the VA's Red Coat Ambassador and volunteer programs. READ MORE Are you a fan of podcasts? Borne the Battle is our weekly #podcast where we interview Veterans and share their stories with you. This week, we talk to Veteran and chief of staff for military affairs at Microsoft, Danny Chung. LISTEN HERE CogSMART program improves Veterans' cognitive functions CogSMART — a program developed in part by VA researchers — is helping Veterans improve their cognitive functioning through learning new strategies to work around cognitive difficulties. READ MORE SHARE THIS April is Occupational Therapist Month Occupational therapists are part of a vitally important profession that help people across their lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Their holistic and customized approach to evaluations, interventions, and outcomes help Veterans engage in social situations, assist in recovering from injuries to regain skills and offer the specialized support and services to Veterans that only occupational therapy can provide. VA is proud of our team of Occupational Therapy professionals who work hard everyday to enrich the lives of Veterans. CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO WATCH AND SHARE THE VIDEO VANTAGE POINT Rosemary Mariner: A Woman Trailblazer Vietnam Veteran Finds Closure at Local Vet Center Marine Veteran crawls on his hands and knees to finish the Boston Marathon Women Veterans and VA: Redefining Disabilities Social workers' resources lifeline for Veterans VA NEWS RELEASES VA ensures Veterans have same-day access to emergency mental health care Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves.