Thursday, May 3, 2012

Edward Mangano Preparing the Veteran Service Agency to Assist Veterans with PTSD



Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr., L.L.C. 
350 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Garden City, NY 11530
877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com

There is much preparation to be done for the anticipated return of local military who are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano is taking initiative in preparing the Veteran Service Agency (VSA) to be ready with information about services and resources to assist veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  
VSA has partnered with the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs, the Mental Health Association of Nassau County and the Veterans Health Alliance of Long Island to offer free services and programs for veterans who have developed PTSD. Many of the counselors at the VSA can help returning veterans fill out claim forms to submit to the government for benefits due to PTSD.
It is reported that nearly one quarter of all veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer symptoms of PTSD or major depression. 70% of veterans from Nassau and Suffolk counties have sought out some sort of assistance at the Northport VA Medical Center.
Services for veterans who think they be suffering from PTSD or any other related disorders will be available at the following:
  • 24/7 Veterans Suicide/Crisis hotline: 1-800-273-8255.
  • Nassau County Veterans Services Agency. Veterans’ benefits counselor trained and certified in suicide awareness and prevention available to assist veterans 5 days a week 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Call (516) 572-6565. Or visit Building Q, behind NUMC. http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/veterans.
  • Northport VA Medical Center www.Northport.VA.gov Vanessa Brown, Gulf Program Manager (631) 261-4400 x2173 Vanessa.Brown@va.gov
  • Nassau County Veterans Treatment Court. Workers have been trained by the VHALI in Combat-Related PTSD; Cognitive Processing Therapy – for PTSD; and SAFETALK, a suicide prevention technique. Contact Rosemary Walker (516) 572-2563
  • Mental Health Association of Nassau County provides veteran and family peer support groups, wellness Training and suicide prevention. Call Lauren Hagemann, (516) 489-2322 ext. 1260 or lhagemann@mhanc.org
  • Veterans Affairs VET Center in Hicksville provides free counseling to Combat Veterans and families, of all generations. Call (516) 348-0088. 970 S Broadway.
  • Veterans Health Alliance of Long Island, in conjunction with Nassau County Department of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency, provides substance abuse treatment and mental health services related to PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, military culture, issues of Older Veterans, Women Veterans, Military Sexual Trauma, Suicide Prevention and Homelessness. Call(516) 504-HELP.

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