Addressing the Disparities in Mental Health Care

On this first day of July, fireworks, barbecues, and summer vacation are likely top of mind. And for the first time in more than a year, many of us are gathering with our loved ones and taking long-awaited vacations. There’s a lot to be excited about, but for many, particularly our BIPOC service members, the invisible wounds of war endure.

July is Minority Mental Health Month, a time to raise awareness about how culture, race, and background impact mental health. And with an increasingly racially and ethnically diverse military population, it’s more important than ever that we understand how to effectively reach and serve these minority veterans. This starts by acknowledging that background and identity can make access to care much more difficult. In fact, an IVMF and Military Times COVID-19 poll revealed that during the pandemic, minority veterans report a higher percentage of resource needs – including mental health resources.

“Many of my African American clients have a difficult time engaging in mental health care due to lived experiences and those they’ve heard other community members have experienced,” says Dr. Shea Lott, Ph.D., Lead Clinician at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals. “This underutilization has significantly impacted the community at large and specifically those veterans and active duty service members.” Read more here.

Stress Resiliency Workshops are Back!

The Cohen Clinic is hosting a 6-session telehealth workshop focused on increasing stress resiliency on Fridays at noon, beginning August 27.

Learn about the effects of stress and how to counteract them with behavioral, cognitive, and communication tools.

Workshop topics include:

Reducing the physical effects of stress
Using deep breathing to counteract stress
Talking back to harmful self-talk
Assertive communication skills

Please contact the Cohen Clinic at 240-847-7500 or info.mfc@eseal.org for more information about enrolling. Details here!

A Nod, Wave, and Honk… for you VA!

Addressing a Post-Pandemic Crisis

Dr. Anneke Vandenbroek, our Senior VP and Director, proudly represented the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals on C20’s podcast Addressing a Post-Pandemic Crisis: Expanding Treatment Options for Mental Health Care.

She joined other mental health professionals in a thoughtful discussion about:

The future of Telehealth care
Why veterans are accessing telehealth at higher rates
Why video visits are conducted instead over the phone visits
How to get patients more comfortable with telehealth care
How COVID has impacted telehealth delivery in the VA

Check it out here!

Join Our Advisory Council!

We’re looking for former clients, community members, and partners willing to provide input and feedback for the Clinic and inform clinic programs to help us meet the needs of the local veteran and military community.

Participants must be committed to supporting the mission of the Clinic to provide high-quality behavioral healthcare to the veteran and military populations and their families. The council meets quarterly and members serve a two-year term.

Interested? Contact Mallary Lass at mlass@eseal.org for more information.