Women Veterans Peer Support Services Available

Welcome! I’m Ann B. the Women’s Health Peer Support Specialist.  I am a Navy Veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

What is a peer specialist? A peer is a Veteran who has lived experience recovering from mental illness, trauma, substance abuse, and/or homelessness. A peer helps Veterans successfully engage in their own recovery by sharing experiences, encouragement, instilling a sense of hope and helping Veterans build skills that promote recovery.

Peer Support Services include programs, discussions, events, groups, and similar activities within mental health and primary care that are led by Veterans in recovery.

Peer specialists serve as role models to Veterans by sharing their personal recovery experiences while they teach and demonstrate skills that facilitate recovery. They assist Veterans with goal setting, problem solving, and symptom management using a variety of recovery tools.

If you were to meet me at one of our new coffee groups or at a clinic, you might wonder about my background.

I grew up in a little town in northern Illinois. After graduating high school, I joined the Navy, got married and had two kids, got divorced and moved back home.

I went to went to junior college, was recalled to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, and then went on to a four-year university and took a lot of music classes. I learned all 32 Western instruments, some I'm better at than others. I cannot play guitar to save my life, so please never ask me to teach you. But I do believe that music is a great bonding agent. Everyone has a favorite song that speaks to them, that changes their mood, that will put a smile on their face. And, yes, that may be three different songs.

I spent a few years at a manufacturer company that made heaters for Humvees, and a variety of commercial vehicles. So I am used to talking with people from all walks of life.

I initially got my peer certification in 2016 and was re-certified in 2021. I became interested in peer counseling through my own mental health struggles and recovery. I met other Peers who helped me realize that recovery is possible and that good days can happen more often than bad.

In pursuing my own recovery, I used many things to help me become more mindful of what I was thinking and doing. I have used writing fiction and poetry, art projects such as jewelry making. Even craft projects such as crocheting and knitting for family. Most recently I have started exploring the art of  gardening. I'd like to share these interests over a cup of coffee or tea, or even field trips, with other women Veterans.

If you are interested in reaching out for Peer Services please contact your primary care or mental health provider.

For more information about the Madison VA Hospital, visit www.madison.va.gov or www.facebook.com/MadisonVAHospital and subscribe to our newsletters.