As you may be aware, AMHCA has partnered with Give an Hour™ (www.giveanhour.org), a national nonprofit organization providing free counseling and other mental health services to members of the military, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, their families, and their communities.

In response to the tragedy in Haiti, Give an Hour™ will also be offering free mental health services to all volunteers serving in Haiti, including civilians, military personnel, and loved ones of those who volunteer. Thousands of military personnel and civilian aid workers are responding to the crisis, and many will face psychological effects from dealing with such horrific circumstances. Moreover, these personnel left their families and their lives at home quickly and so families may be having a difficult time adjusting to the separation as well.

While there are more than 4,600 mental health professionals on the network nationwide, there is a critical shortage in many areas, particularly in the communities surrounding our military installations. As we raise awareness about the psychological issues surrounding combat and deployment, more people are seeking services through Give an Hour™.

Give an Hour™ is an important and well respected organization, filling a critical need. If you are willing to volunteer one hour a week (for a minimum of one year) to help our military men and women and their families heal from wartime service or to help our fellow citizens who are providing humanitarian relief in Haiti, please join the Give an Hour network.

Registration is quick and easy. Log on to www.giveanhour.org and click on "Providers." Please spread the word to your colleagues.