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Women veterans learn about benefits

  • Published
  • By Sgt. Carina M. Garcia
  • 210th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The 514th Air Mobility Wing and the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center hosted a Women's Health Fair "Lunch n' Learn" here Sept. 25.

Gwendolyn Phillips, licensed clinical social worker, and Women's Veterans' Program Manager for the department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pa., was the primary speaker. As a retired member of the military, Phillips said she has made it a personal goal to spread the word to women veterans and eligible spouses of the benefits available to them.

"Philadelphia has a fantastic women's center," said Phillips. "We have dedicated physicians working with women for women. I just want women to really take their health seriously -- both physical and mental health. Services are there for them."

Women are eligible for a wide variety of services and special programs with a full continuum of comprehensive medical services. Primary care, an extensive list of health screenings, gynecology services, referrals, disease prevention and many educational resources, are all available to women.

As more jobs are offered and opened to women in the military, there is a growing need to make counseling services available in regards to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and trauma of sexual assault. Phillips discussed a program specially designed to address military sexual trauma. This program aims to help veterans and current servicemembers deal with MST and find ways to recover from their experiences. According to VA statistics presented at the luncheon, 27 percent of men and 60 percent of women experience military sexual trauma while serving in the Armed Forces.

Department of Veterans Affairs personnel also provided informational brochures, books, videos and pamphlets to those who attended. Representatives from the VA's social work services, Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans services, minority veterans advocate, VA special programs department as well as the VA Women's Health Program were on-site to answer questions and provide assistance.

Basic eligibility requirements and information on available services can be obtained at any VA office. Veterans may register for benefits and get more information at www.va.gov, or by calling, 1-877-222-VETS (8387).