Manatee County Offers Training to Support Veterans’ Mental Health
Manatee County Community and Veterans Services (CVS) is teaming up with The Fire Watch to provide training that helps residents recognize the warning signs of a veteran in crisis and connects them with lifesaving support.
This spring, the county will expand its mental health outreach through a series of in-person and virtual training sessions open to the public.
“This is a critical need in our community,” said Jason Bearden, Manatee County at-large commissioner and Marine Corps veteran. “We are pleased to be able to offer this training to all citizens who want to help.”
If 300 community members become Watch Standers during this training period, the County will become a Veteran Safe Community (VSC), a designation that demonstrates the communities’ commitment to preventing veteran suicide, but organizers are looking to engage as many as 700 participants. The Fire Watch’s Veterans Safe Place (VSP) program equips businesses and organizations with training for their teams to help identify signs of distress among veterans and take action. Manatee County Government earned its own VSP designation in November 2024 after 90 employees from code enforcement, human resources, and CVS completed the organization’s Watch Stander training.
Working closely with The Fire Watch, CVS Director Sarah Brown oversees securing funding to make the training accessible to the public. Upcoming sessions include:
March 26, 2025 | Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Public Safety Building
2101 47th Terrace E, Bradenton
April 29, 2025 | 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Manatee Utilities
3647 Cortez Road West, Bradenton
May 29, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Public Works
1022 26th Ave E, Bradenton
Virtual sessions will also be offered:
April 8, 2025 | 4 - 5:30 p.m.
May 9, 2025 | 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Residents can sign up for training here.
“Our deepest thanks to Commissioner Jason Bearden and the Manatee County Government for joining us in the fight to end Veteran suicide,” said Nick Howland, The Fire Watch executive director and Navy veteran. “Our Watch Stander program, which trains community members to recognize the warning signs of veterans in crisis and to connect those veterans to the help they need, is now available countywide. Veterans are family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. They are heroes who have written blank checks for amounts up to and including their lives to protect our communities. The Manatee County community is now joining together to protect them.”
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About Manatee County Community and Veterans Services: Manatee County Community and Veterans Services (CVS) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all residents by connecting individuals and families to essential resources, support programs, and community-based initiatives. CVS provides a wide range of services, including veteran support, housing assistance, neighborhood connections, and human services coordination. Through strong partnerships and a commitment to public service, CVS helps build a healthier, more resilient community for visitors and residents.
For more information about Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.