What’s changed: One year after Afghanistan withdrawal?

2022-08-15T16:25:13-04:00

If you have a resource, we invite you to please share! Veterans who served in Afghanistan may be continue to be experiencing a range of challenging emotions embarking on the one year anniversary of U.S withdrawal from the country. Veterans who served during other conflicts may also be feeling strong emotions as they may be reminded of their own deployment experiences. VA continues to share VA resources, call center information, peer support, and other community services.

- Vet Centers – Discuss how you feel with other Veterans in these community-based counseling centers. 70% of Vet Center staff are Veterans. Call [login to see] or find one near you.
- Veterans Crisis Line – If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 988 then PRESS 1 or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care.
- VA Women Veterans Call Center – Call or text [login to see] (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 6:30PM ET)
- VA Caregiver Support Line – Call [login to see] (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 5PM ET)
- Download VA’s self-help apps – Tools to help deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
- VA Mental Health Services Guide – This guide will help you sign up and access mental health services. Bottom line, support is available if you want it. Even if none of these resources appeal to you – get help. Talk about it with someone, try something new. If you are struggling, the worst thing you can do is nothing. Don’t be afraid to lean on your Veteran community and please consider reaching out to VA if you would like to learn more about what is available. We’re here for you.
- Find more on common reactions and tips for managing stress at our blog, Coping with current events in Afghanistan.
- MakeTheConnection.net – information, resources, and Veteran to Veteran videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.

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Response by CPT David Gowel made Aug 15 at 2022 4:59 PM

2022-08-15T16:59:39-04:00

I'm interested to know what is happening in Afghanistan today. Also, closer to home, it also seems we need to figure out how to take care of our Afghan interpreters. I only served in Iraq - not Afghanistan - but we would have had many more casualties without those local members of the Iraqi community would could translate both the language and the culture for us. We need more success stories on this front as I don't see too many. https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/afghanistan-conflict-anniversary-immigrant/

A year of struggle as an Afghan family builds a new life in California

Najib Mohammadi had high hopes for his life in the U.S. when he and his family left Afghanistan in 2021 under the Special Immigrant Visa program.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 15 at 2022 11:23 PM

2022-08-15T23:23:14-04:00

We should have learned our lesson just like in Vietnam.Why do we continue to back every allied nation while have more pressing issues on our own turf. Think about how much money we have spent in Vietnam, Korea,Gulf War and Iraq when add all of these costs. If we had. not spent all of thar money elsewhere. We would be able to have a balanced budget. What are your thoughts