Answering the Call:
Veterans and Military Spouses Offer Peer Support for Military Community

WASHINGTON, March XX, 2017 —The DoD “BeThere” Peer Support Call and Outreach Center offers free nonmedical, confidential peer support to Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists and their family members 24/7/365 through calls, texts or online chats.

Staffed by Veterans and military spouses, the center aims to provide support and resources for career and general life challenges. Peer support specialists understand military life because they’ve experienced deployment, reintegration and relocation, first hand.

Nino Gray, Army Veteran and peer specialist notes that walking the same path as his callers provides an instant connection, stating, “… When a Service member contacts the ‘Be There’ team, as soon as the conversation begins, we are able to almost instantaneously provide a level of comfort because of the common understanding …”

Since its inception in October 2016, the center has connected hundreds of Service and family members to the resources they need to succeed. Unlike other military call centers, calls to the BeThere Peer Support Call and Outreach Center are unlimited.

“… If you’re a Service member and you’re unsure about reaching out to us, give us a chance,” said Gray, who then suggested, “… Call anonymously … We are here for you!”

No issue is too small for the call center. Peer support specialists can provide resources for any area of life including relationships, work-life balance, transition, parenting, education, deployment or financial issues.

Regarding the center’s benefits to callers, Valerie Fuentes, Army Reservist, former military spouse and peer specialist states, “It has provided an outlet for people to just start talking and figure out their situations and how to cope with what they’re going through. To let them know that they are not alone in what they are going through and that there is a huge network of resources to help manage life’s mishaps.”

For more information visit call 844-357-PEER (7337) and follow us on Twitter @DoDPeerSupport and Facebook @BeTherePeerSupport.
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