University of Phoenix and Give an Hour Form Alliance to Provide Service Members and Veterans With Access to Free Mental Health Care and Support

PHOENIX, Aug. 23, 2017 – Give an Hour (GAH) and University of Phoenix today announced a new alliance that provides free, confidential mental health care and support to military-affiliated students, alumni and their loved ones. The services are provided by a nationwide network of more than 7,000 mental health professionals who volunteer their time to help address the psychological needs of U.S. troops and their dependents.

“Give an Hour connects veterans and service members with confidential access to skilled mental health professionals in their community to help address their emotional well-being,” said Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of Give an Hour. “We are proud to work with University of Phoenix to continue our mission to connect those who need help with those who can provide it.”

Through the alliance with Give an Hour, University of Phoenix veteran students and alumni have access to clinical mental health providers across the country.

“There are unique stresses that military service personnel face and by working with Give an Hour, University of Phoenix can help connect those who need access to potentially life-saving resources,” said Adam Such, vice president of Military and Veteran Affairs at University of Phoenix. “We are first and foremost focused on making sure our students and alumni have the educational and emotional support they need to achieve their higher education goals and that includes removing stigmas associated with and barriers to seeking help when needed.”

Give an Hour’s public health educational initiative, the Campaign to Change Direction, promotes awareness that emotional health is just as important as physical health, and stresses the importance of providing those in need with the support and care they deserve. Change Direction encourages understanding and sharing a common language known as “The Five Signs of Emotional Suffering,” a tool that allows us to recognize emotional pain in ourselves and others. The campaign also promotes the practice of “Five Healthy Habits” to improve and maintain emotional well-being.

About Give an Hour
Give an Hour, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) providing free mental health services to military members, veterans, and their families, was founded in September 2005 by Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a psychologist in the Washington, D.C., area. Give an Hour has been instrumental in the development of the community-based approach to addressing the challenges that face our nation’s military community, having created a successful model for harnessing skill-based volunteers eager to offer their services. Thus far, the network of more than 7,000 licensed mental health professionals has provided more than 225,000 hours of care and support to those in need. To learn more, visit www.giveanhour.org. For information on the Campaign to Change Direction visit www.changedirection.org.

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc., University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.