CVN Leaders Speak Out on the Mental Health Impacts of Afghanistan Crisis

Recent news out of Afghanistan has been top of mind for a lot of Americans this week. It has been very big news in the Post 9/11 Veteran community. Leaders from across Cohen Veterans Network are speaking publicly about the idea that recent events are likely to have significant impacts on the mental health of our community.

CVN President & CEO Dr. Anthony Hassan was quoted in the Tampa Bay Times and on Texas Public Radio, while local staff were also interviewed in key markets:

“This may be another reminder to them of all that they’ve stuffed down and hidden away,” Hassan said. “So, this could be that time where those moments, emotions, feelings and regrets are reactivated…. But hopefully this is a time for them to get the help that they need as well.”

Michael Fleming, Outreach Director at the Cohen Clinic in Jacksonville, FL spoke candidly with the Florida Times-Union about how difficult these events have been to watch but quickly brought the focus back to what our clinic’s specialize in.

“For me as a veteran, my main concern is really the mental health of the individuals who served over there and the family and community members affected by that,” Fleming said.

MaryBeth Goodman, Military Spouse and Clinic Director of our Clinic in Anchorage, AK spoke with Alaska’s News Source on this issue and the increase in need in her area.

“We’ve had a lot more conversations around the dinner table,” Goodman said. “We’ve had to talk about what it means, some of the people we’ve had to say goodbye to, who paid the ultimate sacrifice, their sacrifice was absolutely not in vain, and we’re honoring them by talking about their memories.”

Meanwhile, CVN and the Cohen Clinics around the country were named as helpful resources by Denver’s FOX 31, Military.com, Raleigh’s ABC11, and Spectrum News in Buffalo, NY, as well as the VA VantagePoint newsletter.

CVN has put together some helpful tips and strategies to support mental health during this time.

By Anthony Guido

CVN, Vice President, Communications & PR