New Services Offered for Big Bear Area Veterans

Veterans in the Big Bear Valley can now take advantage of free mental health counseling services without that big drive "down the hill." The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has arranged to provide this free service in Big Bear Lake to eligible veterans.

Mental health assistance from a trained professional will be offered on a semi-monthly recurring basis, with the first sessions available by appointment on Monday, February 6. The counselor will meet with veterans at the offices of Dr. David Poole at 41628 W. Big Bear Boulevard in the City of Big Bear Lake.

Veterans and current service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve components, are eligible if any of the following applies:

▪ The person has served on active duty in any combat theater or area of hostility;
▪ Has experienced military sexual trauma, regardless of gender or service area;
▪ The veteran needs bereavement service.

For questions about VA eligibility or the types of services that will be available, please send an email to .

Interested individuals are asked to include their name, information about their military service, and a summary of the assistance being sought. To learn more about mental health counseling offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit VA.gov.

 

Through a collaboration between Bear Valley Community Healthcare District Foundation, American Legion Post 584 Big Bear Lake, the Marine Corps League, and Big Bear Valley Ministries, veterans in the Big Bear Valley will now be able to see local doctors through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care program.
 
Community Care provides services to veterans through community providers when the VA cannot provide the necessary care. Community Care is based on specific eligibility requirements, the availability of VA care, and the needs and circumstances of individual Veterans.
 
The first step is that the veteran must contact their VA’s Community Care Network Department and request to be assigned a primary care provider on the list. In Loma Linda, call (909) 825-7084 ext. 5248.
To learn more about the program, please visit www.va.gov/communitycare/