RBC I The Meeker Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and VFW Auxiliary have partnered with the Grand Junction Veterans Center to provide counseling at the Meeker Veterans Community Center, 290 4th St., every other Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 3 p m.
Dea Bridge met with the veterans’ organizations Monday evening to be introduced as the new counselor for the Grand Junction Vet Center. She is the newest member of the Grand Junction Vet Center. An an Army veteran, she is a master-level rehabilitation counseling therapist who provides counseling services for mental health and can connect veterans to additional resources for housing, VA benefits, substance issues and other types of support for challenges that veterans face.
The primary, but not exclusive, focus for Vet Center staff is on combat veterans and any veteran who has been exposed to military sexual trauma.
Growing up in Missouri, Bridge joined the U.S. Army (1982-1986) shortly after graduating from high school. Her military occupational specialty was a wire systems installer/operator (a.k.a. “Cable Dog”) and she was initially stationed at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., followed by Frankfurt, Germany, with the 3rd Armored Division. She remained in Germany after leaving military service, working for the Department of Defense, until moving to Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, with her son and military spouse. 1n 1993, they relocated to Grand Junction, Colo., where she has spent the majority of the past 23 years.
After obtaining a bachelor of science degree in human resources in 1998 from Colorado Christian University (CCU) and her Professional Human Resources Certification (PHR), Bridge re-enlisted in the military, joining the Colorado National Guard in 2007. In May 2016, she graduated with honors from Colorado Christian University with a master of arts degree in counseling. She is also a National Certified Counselor. She is currently working to obtain the clinical hours necessary to complete the requirements for professional counselor licensure in the state of Colorado.
Bridge’s education and experience spans a variety of civilian organizations including school systems, the medical field, criminal justice settings and various county and federal agencies. She is a member of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and has written multiple articles promoting the employment of veterans. Bridge has been married for more than 25 years, and her husband and son are also veterans of the U.S. Army, and she is proud to continue serving the military community.
June is PTSD Awareness Month. No matter what you may be experiencing, there is support for getting your life on a better track. Many, many veterans have found the strength to reach out and make the connection.
During PTSD Awareness Month, let veterans know that help is available, treatment works and recovery is possible.
Call the Grand Junction Vet Center at 970-245-4156 to set up your appointment in Meeker.
