BUTLER TWP — VA Butler Healthcare is hosting a weeklong training program for a national initiative that focuses on mental health recovery for veterans.

The program, called Veteran “X,” started in 2014 as a way to help veterans deal with things like mental illness, addiction, homelessness and other issues. The program puts veterans with other veterans and has them tackle treatment issues for a fictitious male “veteran X” who has challenges similar to their own. As a group the veterans navigate obstacles on the path to recovery.

The training at VA Butler, which is the first of its kind ever offered outside Hampton VA Medical Center, where it was developed, is expected to include as many as 35 VA peer specialists from across Butler County.

It will help prepare the specialists to develop their own Veteran “X” programs at regional medical centers. The participants must also complete six months of consultation on the program before becoming certified facilitators.

VA Butler Healthcare offers weekly Veteran “X” group, as well as Veteran “Hope” groups — which are similar but for female veterans.

To learn more about the Veteran “X” program, veterans can call 724-996-8892; for Veteran “Hope” call 724-285-2756.