Like most in our community, we have followed the fall of Afghanistan this past weekend with shock and grief. We grieve for those Americans who have lost so much, for our allies in Afghanistan, and for those who face impending human rights atrocities. In the wake of so much tragic recent news, from the rise in deaths due to the Delta variant, to the loss of life in Haiti, to the recent deaths by suicide of our Capital Police Officers, our region is experiencing heightened anxiety and trauma.

Images in the news may remind some of how we left Vietnam while others may not remember a time before the tragic events of 9/11 and the presence of our forces in Afghanistan. Afghanistan was America’s longest armed conflict. Our military-connected community paid dearly: almost 2,500 American troops and just under 4,000 contractors made the ultimate sacrifice, with countless more suffering wounds both visible and invisible from their time in Afghanistan.

Like you, we at EveryMind have friends, family, and colleagues who served in Afghanistan or know someone whose life was irrevocably changed by their time there. For them, and for us, this is personal.

EveryMind’s 24-hour Hotline staff are ready to listen, text, and chat with you. EveryMind’s ServingTogether Peer Navigators are here to connect our military-connected community to vital resources and service provider partners. We understand that you, or your battle buddy, may need support to process this historical turn of events.

We are here to support you. We are committed to you.

Yours in support,

Ann Mazur, CEO