A Message to Our Community in Response to Current Events in Afghanistan

Student Veterans of America’s National President and CEO Jared Lyon issued the below statement on August 17, 2021 in regard to the developing situation in Afghanistan:

The recent events in Afghanistan are incredibly difficult to watch. It is impossible during this time not to reflect on my own service and that of my fellow veterans, service members, military families, survivors, caregivers, allies, and supporters.

If you feel like I do, I want you to know that you are not alone. As the next days and weeks unfold, the thoughts and feelings you or your loved ones may experience are valid and important. You deserve to be listened to and we are here to support you.

Please know that SVA, our chapters, our partners, and a national community of people and organizations stand ready to help. If you or a veteran you know are in need of assistance, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 then PRESS 1 or send a text message to 838255. 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.

Resources for student veterans, service members, military families, survivors, caregivers, and supporters:

Are you in crisis? Call the Veterans Crisis line at 1-800-273-8255 then PRESS 1 or text 838255. The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource available to any Veteran, even if they are not enrolled in VA health care or registered with VA.

The Mental Health Resource Office on Your Campus may be a helpful resource to connect with counseling, psychological support, wellness resources, and more.

• The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.
• American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network – Peer Support and Mentoring The Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) offers peer-based support and services to connect those providing care to service members and veterans living with wounds, illnesses, injuries and/or aging.
• America’s Warrior Partnership 1-866-AWPVETS – Our mission at America’s Warrior Partnership is empowering communities to empower veterans. Our approach to accomplishing this mission takes many forms, but it always starts with connecting community organizations with local veterans to understand their unique situations. Our ultimate goal is to create a better quality of life for all veterans by empowering local communities to proactively and holistically serve them.
• Blue Star Families – Find Your People, Build Your Community – Founded in 2009 by military spouses with you in mind, we empower military families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors – both people and organizations – to create strong communities of support.
• Check-In is a user-friendly tool designed to connect veterans with high-quality, compassionate care for mental and brain health through a first-of-its-kind network of trusted peer-led organizations and service providers. Check-In empowers veterans to find the support and services they need to live happier, healthier, more successful lives—and to make sure veterans are treated like people, not case numbers, every step of the care journey.
• Code of Support Foundation (1-571-418-6339 then PRESS 1) – Code of Support Foundation assists service members, veterans, caregivers, and their immediate family members of every branch of service, service era, and discharge status.
• DStress Line – The Marine Corps DSTRESS Line is an anonymous Marine-to-Marine phone and chat support service that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The line is staffed by veteran Marines, former Fleet Marine Force Navy Corpsmen, Marine spouses and family members, and licensed behavioral health counselors.
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes – If you care for a wounded, ill, or injured veteran or service member, you may need support at some point along your caregiving journey. Whether you need comprehensive case management support, assistance with applying for benefits, or just a listening ear, Hidden Heroes is here to help.
  • Download: Advice for Talking with Your Veteran and Your Family About Afghanistan
• ETS Sponsorship Program established in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD), exists to sponsor service members through the transition process from military to civilian life.
• Give an Hour’s mission is to develop national networks of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise within our society. By harnessing the skill and expertise of volunteer professionals, we are able to increase the likelihood that those in need receive the support and care they deserve.
• Headstrong is a national-facing mental health treatment practice of choice for our nation’s military, veterans, and their family members. Operating as a nonprofit, we offer confidential, barrier-free, stigma-free evidence-based treatment approaches regardless of era of service or discharge at no expense.
• The Independence Fund – Founded in 2007, The Independence Fund is committed to empowering our nation’s catastrophically wounded, injured, or ill Veterans to overcome physical, mental, and emotional wounds incurred in the line of duty.
• Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) – You are not alone. QRF is here for any veteran seeking mental health care. If you are in need of immediate assistance contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 and press 1 to speak with someone 24/7 or start an online confidential chat session.
• MakeTheConnection.net – No matter when, where, or how you served, or what you’ve experienced in military or civilian life, you may be facing challenges that affect your health, relationships, and life. Whether your military role ended two decades ago or two days ago, you share with Veterans everywhere the common bonds of duty, honor, and service to our nation.
• Military Health Resource Center – A trusted source of psychological health information and resources related to combat stress, depression, reintegration, how to get into treatment, types of treatment for mental health conditions, and many other topics. Professional health resource consultants, all of who are master’s-level mental health clinicians that understand military culture. Available 24/7 by phone, online chat, or email.
• Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a mission to create stronger military families through education, empowerment, and support.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – During this difficult time, the NAMI HelpLine is here for you. HelpLine volunteers are working to answer questions, offer support and provide practical next steps. The resources on this page provide information to address many needs and concerns.
• Military OneSource – Mental health is just as important for military and family readiness as physical fitness. While Military OneSource does not provide health care services, it does point members of the military family to the resources available to help. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Military Crisis Line at 800-273-8255, then press 1, or access online chat by texting 838255.
• National Suicide Prevention line or chat – The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• RallyPoint – Talk to other Veterans online. Discuss: What are your feelings as the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan after 20 years of US involvement?
• Team Red, White & Blue – Find a chapter in your area. Team Red, White & Blue is the antidote to the isolation and health challenges they face. By forging America’s leading health and wellness community for veterans, service members, and their families, we strive to make tomorrow better. Together, we will find strength and success.
• Team Rubicon – Find a local support squad. Team Rubicon is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that utilizes the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Founded in 2010, Team Rubicon has deployed across the United States and around the world to provide immediate relief to those impacted by disasters and humanitarian crises.
• Together We Served – These unprecedented times are contributing to a higher level of anxiety, particularly among our Veteran population. The constant flow of often discouraging news, along with a reduced ability to mingle with others to keep spirits up, makes it difficult for some to maintain their morale. TogetherWeServed, a military heritage community website and home to over 1.9 million U.S. Military Veterans, wants to help.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)  Peer Mentors – Your world has been shattered, and it feels like no one could possibly understand. It may even feel as if those around you have moved on with their lives, while you are alone. There is someone who understands and is ready to listen — your TAPS Peer Mentor.
• 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.
• On AboutFace, Veterans, family members and clinicians share their experiences with PTSD and PTSD treatment in moving film clips. Learn what you can do to help yourself or a loved one, from the stories of people who have been there.
• VA Women Veterans Call Center: Call or text 1-855-829-6636 (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 6:30PM ET) The WVCC staff is trained to provide women Veterans, their families, and caregivers about VA services and resources. We are ready to respond to your concerns
• VA Caregiver Support Line – Call 1-855-260-3274 (M-F 8AM – 10PM & SAT 8AM – 5PM ET)
• ​​​​​​​Vets4Warriors (1-855-838-8255) believes that there is no physical, mental, or social challenge that we can’t help find a solution for. Regardless of the complexity of the issue, or how long it takes, we will continue to follow up, seek out possible avenues, and pursue different options until an answer is found. We go the extra mile.
• The VFW may have many programs and services that work to support veterans, service members and their families, as well as communities worldwide. Please check out our latest fact sheet or spend some time browsing our site to learn why No One Does More For Veterans.
• Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) strives to unite and strengthen communities by training, developing, and highlighting the role models that lead them. Call 1-215-348-9080 or email [email protected].
• Your local VA Crisis center – Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families.
• Your local Veteran Service Office
• Veteran Wellness Alliance — Check in – The Bush Institute’s Veteran Wellness Alliance is an innovative alliance that connects high-quality care providers and veteran peer networks to empower veterans to seek treatment. With proper care, service members and veterans can continue to thrive on and off the battlefield. Available only in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Washington DC.
• Wounded Warrior Project (1-888-WWP-ALUM or 1-904-405-1213) – Through interactive programs, rehabilitative retreats, and professional services, you can build the resilience you need to overcome mental health challenges, including PTSD, TBI, and more. With the incredible support of Wounded Warrior Project donors, we’ve provided over 42,000 hours of intensive outpatient care and therapy sessions that have helped warriors like you move closer to becoming their best selves.

We also encourage student veterans, military connected students, allies, and supporters to continue to be involved, or get involved, with their campus SVA Chapter. It may be appropriate, for example, to host an in-person or virtual event to discuss these events. Please contact us if there is anything we can do to help.