On behalf of the VA Maine Healthcare System, the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services, and Maine Vet Centers, we would like to extend a big 'Thank You' to all those who attended and participated in the 1st Annual Military Veteran Symposium at the University of Southern Maine on December 12th. Of the 400 veterans and community partners registered to attend the day-long symposium, nearly 300 were able to join in person. It's commonly said that Mainers are resilient - considering the day's weather conditions, attendance at the symposium was a testament to that.

We are confident those who were present or watched the symposium online understand why individual panelists were chosen to contribute to a specific panel. Each were selected and/or nominated due to their personal experiences, professional knowledge, or their unique understanding and perspective on the veteran suicide epidemic. As the respective directors of our organizations, we cannot thank them enough for their rich contribution to the entire day. Over the past few weeks, we have received an outpouring of compliments regarding these remarkable panelists - you were courageous, engaging, thoughtful and personal - most importantly, you made a considerable impact on us all.

As hosts, we are grateful for the level of commitment we received from those who came, from those who watched via Facebook Live, and from those who could not attend due to unforeseen circumstances. If you would like to make a commitment to ‘Be There’ for our veterans, please email us with your commitment at mainebvs@maine.gov. These commitments can be as simple as adding the Veterans Crisis phone number to your email signature block!

We look forward to continuing the conversation on how to make our commitments actionable, so that we can continue to be there for our veterans.

Regards,

Adria O. Horn
Director, Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services

  • VA Deputy Secretary Presentation (PDF)


  • Cultural Competency Presentations
  • Maine Suicide Data Sheet (PDF)
  • Suicide Prevention Flyer ("Symposium Handout") (PDF)
  • Commitment Card (PDF)
  • Commitments Made To #BeThere For Veterans (PDF)
  • PsychArmor S.A.V.E. Training Course
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