Office of Rural Engagement Newsletter May 2026
May offers multiple opportunities to recognize service members, Veterans, and their families, including National Military Appreciation Month, Armed Forces Week, and Memorial Day. Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) is also commemorated each May, which marked the formal, unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany to Allied forces, ending nearly six years of World War II in Europe.
The Office of Rural Engagement's next quarterly webinar is scheduled for June 11th. Please join us as we host the VHA's Office of Integrated Veteran Care (IVC) to review veteran healthcare options through the VA's Community Care program. Click the link below to register:
Self-paced mental health tools veterans can use anytime.
Are you a Veteran facing common challenges like managing anger, insomnia or substance use? Discover VeteranTraining.va.gov, VA’s award-winning online mental health resource designed just for you.
This innovative site offers a variety of self-help courses focused on practical issues such as problem-solving, parenting and healthy coping skills. Each course features videos and activities to make learning practical and enjoyable. All resources are free, confidential and available 24/7, so you can access support whenever and wherever you need it. To read more about these resources, click HERE.
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Convenient, personal care with virtual pharmacy appointments
VA’s TelePharmacy program connects Veterans who live in rural areas, or areas without a pharmacy specialist, to remote providers. Available in selected areas across the country, the program helps ensure that Veterans receive specialized pharmaceutical care.
To read more about VA's TelePharmacy program, click HERE.
 You don’t have to be enrolled in VA health care to access life-saving suicide prevention support. Emergent suicide care services covered by VA can help.
If you or a Veteran you know is facing a crisis, help is available right now. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or VA health care to use it. Thanks to the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care & Treatment (COMPACT) Act Emergent Suicide Care benefit, eligible individuals can receive free emergency suicide crisis care at VA and community facilities, regardless of enrollment status. This benefit is designed to remove obstacles and make it easier for you to get support if you’re in a suicide crisis. Here’s what to know about accessing care and building support when having thoughts of suicide.
For more details on the COMPACT Act, click HERE
Telehealth connects rural Veterans to more than just care
Air Force Veteran Ronald Miller lives more than 30 miles away from his nearest VA medical center, so it’s not surprising that telehealth has given him easier access to care and new opportunities to improve his health. But telehealth has also given the 82-year-old something he hadn’t expected: camaraderie and rapport that have extended beyond his video visits.
To read the full story and learn more on VA telehealth opportunities, click HERE
 Scams targeting surviving family members
Scammers often target surviving family members shortly after a Veteran’s death, when benefit payments are issued, and when grief can make some people more vulnerable to manipulation. The scammers may claim military authority or a shared service experience to gain trust, using high-pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency and forcing victims to make quick decisions. These bad actors often contact survivors via social media, email, text or phone.
Read more about VA's commitment to educating Veterans and their loved ones on memorial benefits by clicking HERE
From VA's YouTube Channel:
No one who served in uniform should ever struggle to find a home. If you know a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. This is a problem we can solve together. For more information on how you can help fight Veteran homelessness, visit VA.gov/homeless.
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