A new nonprofit whose goal is to provide free counseling to post-9/11 military veterans and their families drew 20 clinicians to a free training on military culture on Dec. 2 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset.
The group, Here to Help Military and Families (631-602-0075, militaryandfamilyhelp@gmail.com), which vows to connect clients with counselors within a week, aims to do intakes, keep information confidential and match clients with the nearest clinician with experience treating their problem.
“I came of age in the Vietnam era, and Vietnam veterans were not treated with the respect they deserve,” said Laurie Sloane, 65, a social worker with offices in Roslyn and Manhattan who is the nonprofit’s president. “I see this as an opportunity to accord veterans the respect they should have had then.”
Here to Help is an outgrowth of The Soldiers Project, whose Long Island chapter was folded into the New York City chapter. Some of the clinicians decided to form their own nonprofit. “We want everybody to get the word out that we’re open for business,” Sloane said.
Sharman Regensburg, 59, a social worker who sees patients at her East Northport home office and is a licensed yoga practitioner, said she came to the training because while she’s had veterans in her caseload, she really didn’t know much about them and their issues. “I’ve always been looking for a way to give back the time and expertise I’ve put in as a therapist,” she said. “My dad was a World War II vet but of course he never talked about it. This seems like a great opportunity.”
Social worker Amy Olshever, 55, of Port Wasington, has an office in Roslyn Heights. She said she taught veterans as an adjunct professor at York College, Adelphi University and the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University but has not treated any veterans as a therapist.
“I see it as a way of serving those who served my country,” she said. “I have training in trauma and a long background in loss and bereavement. I would say I’m a bereavement expert. I’ve been a social worker 28 years. I always need more training.”
Copiague social worker Silas Kelly, who wouldn’t give his age, said he is a mental health counsellor for Concern for Independent Living, a Suffolk County builder of affordable housing, and also a substance abuse counselor in a program funded by Suffolk County and the Town of Smithtown. He said he came to the military training because he produces radio shows and has volunteered to assist Here to Help in spreading its message.
“My interest is in promoting social work,” he said, adding he’s interested in veterans “because of the sacrifices they’ve made. They need to have the country give back to them.”
John McDonagh, 73, a psychologist with a home office in Cold Spring Harbor and a former U.S. Public Health Service employee, is Here to Help’s treasurer.
He said he’s involved because of “wanting to give back…knowing that veterans are not always getting the care they need. There’s a spiritual side of life that people don’t talk about – doing something for somebody who needs something is good for me, too.”
Many veterans will not go to the VA for mental health counselling, fearing a paper trail and a stigma that might accompany them in job searches and employment. Here to Help volunteers promise that no identifying information on clients will ever be put in emails and that sessions will be strictly confidential.
“We’ll look at location,” Sloane said, “what the problem is, what the therapist’s expertise is and try to make a match, see if you can work with this person…I’d like to see more volunteers commit to coming to trainings but this is a good start. Even experienced therapists need additional training to work with this community and understand their needs and the culture they’re part of. They have given everything for us, so we should give something back to them.”
To volunteer as a clinician, call 631-602-0075 or write to Sloane at Here to Help Military and Families, 1025 Northern Blvd., Suite 301 in Roslyn.
