​ 
As many of you know, I have spent over three years trying to address and resolve the problem associated with events surrounding the implementation of increased clinical productivity standards by VA/VET Center Program management that mandated excessive number of visits counselors are expected to achieve, which has been adversely impacting counselor welfare and degrading their ability to provide the best possible care to veterans and their families. 
 
I am co-authoring a book, ‘Broken Promises,’ with JR Strayve Jr detailing these events and its impact.   
 
We would like to provide you an opportunity to stay informed during the writing, marketing, and publishing journey. 
 
If you would like to receive updates from us, click here to sign-up for our newsletter.
 
Also, please forward this email to as many people you know who might be interested in this significant matter, in order to raise awareness about how these productivity expectations are negatively affecting veteran counseling services and the welfare of the clinicians who care for them.    
 
 
Sincerely,
Ted Blickwedel
Ted Blickwedel, LICSW
LtCol, USMC, Retired
Former VA/VET Center Counselor
 

ABOUT THE FOUNDATIONTHE TIM BERGLING FOUNDATION ADVOCATES
FOR THE RECOGNITION OF SUICIDE AS A GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY.

WE SUPPORT SCIENCE-BASED ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED IN
PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS AGAINST MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUICIDE,
PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

ADDITIONALLY THE FOUNDATION WILL SUPPORT
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CLIMATE CHANGE,
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From: Sarah Williams,  ​[email protected]

​Greetings, Mortals! 
Here's the BAD news:  even with the awesome remote microphone that Hank bought me, the background music was simply too much competition at our Death Cafe last Wednesday.  I have let the manager know that unless they can disconnect the speaker in our room,  we will not be meeting at La Fiesta any longer.  Here's the GOOD news:  we will hold a VIRTUAL meeting next month, so all our faraway friends will be able to join us!    You will receive the link to the Zoom room a few days before the meeting!  And the meeting will be held on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th!!!!!!!!!  (same Bat time, same Bat station...)
Between now and October, the hunt continues for a suitable space WITH FOOD where we can gather again at some point in the future...
Brief recap of what the ten (yes, 10!?  but we were a mighty ten!! ) of us discussed:

• Gaps in eldercare with moving personal stories from Georgia and Bob (Julia, I read your little "poem" about aging parents!)
• Facing the reality of death and the difficulty of holding "the conversation" (Ellen, I read your hospice story about "I Just Want to Die!")
• Two great websites with templates for holding said conversation:  deathoverdinner.org and theconversationproject.org
• A movie which exposes the reality of guardianship scamming:  "I Care A Lot"
• Bob is offering holotropic breathwork sessions on 9/25 and 10/23 (holoquest.org)

Happy Trails until we "see" each other again on September 15th!  

Sara WilliamsSara Williams
[email protected]