SAFE Program
The Support and Family Education program at Syracuse VA Medical Center helps families of Veterans with a mental illness. Meetings are held most Fridays and cover a variety of topics. Choose the sessions that address your situation or attend them all if you wish. The program is a way to share information and help familes overcome the obstacles presented by a mental illness or disablilty.
This service is free and open to all caregivers and family members of Veterans. The Veteran does not attend. To sign up, call 315-425-4445.
Program dates and topics: All meetings will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
| October 26 | PTSD and Its Impact on the Family |
| November 2 | Schizophrenia and Its Impact on the Family |
| November 9 | Communication Tips for Family Members |
| November 16 | Limit Setting and Boundaries With Family Members |
| November 30 | Problem-solving Skills for Families |
| December 7 | Creating a Low-stress Environment and Minimizing Crisis |
| December 14 | What I Can Do When My Family Member Is Angry or Violent |
| December 21 | Common Family Reactions to Mental Illness |
| January 4 | Taking Care of Yourself |
| January 11 | Skills for Managing Stress Effectively As a Family Member |
| January 25 | What to Do When Help Is Turned Away |
| February 1 | Dos and Don'ts in Helping Your Family Member |
| February 8 | Rights and Responsibilities of Consumers, Family Members and Professionals |
| February 15 | Empowering Your Loved One on the Journey of Recovery |
| February 22 | What We Tell Our Children and Other People |
| March 1 | Dealing With the Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness |
