Bellone Initiates Veterans Services Outreach Effort in Response to Rise in PTSD Related Suicide

(Long Island, NY) County Executive Steve Bellone was joined by Congressman-elect Lee Zeldin, Legislator Bill Lindsay III, Legislator Tom Muratore, the Suffolk County Veteran Services Agency and family members of veterans lost to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the Farmingville VFW Post 400 today to announce a veteran support outreach effort in response to the rise in PTSD related suicides around the region. County officials encouraged veterans affected by PTSD to enroll in their local PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Project support groups.

“There is no greater obligation we have than to make sure the men and women of our armed forces have the support and services they require when they come back home,” said County Executive Steve Bellone. “PTSD related suicide is an American tragedy and we need to do more to help our veterans work through the challenges they face.”

County Executive Steve Bellone, center, announces a veteran support outreach effort to veteran families in response to rise of PTSD related suicides. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

The Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer program is overseen by the Suffolk County Veteran’s Service Agency and is designed to serve veterans, active duty, reserve and National Guard troops suffering from PTSD and allows veterans the opportunity to share and discuss their issues and problems with trained veteran personnel in a secure and anonymous setting. The unique nature of the program is that veterans are serving as the facilitators of the groups which provides a comfort and familiarity level to those veterans seeking assistance.

Since its inception in 2012, over 2,000 veterans have participated in the Joseph P. Dwyer Project where they share their experiences with fellow veterans and allow the healing process to begin. As part of the outreach effort, the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency issued an informational pamphlet on the Joseph P. Dwyer Project to veteran households throughout the County.

Dwyer Project postcard. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.

“Suffolk is home to the largest veteran population in the State of New York, the second largest in the United States, and we need to ensure that they are taken care of each and everyday,” said Congressman-elect Lee Zeldin. “We know that holiday time is often the hardest time of the year for families who lost their sons or daughters. We will never forget their sacrifice to protect our freedom and way of life.”

As State Senator, Zeldin increased funding in the 2014-2015 state budget to continue the expansion of the Joseph Dwyer Project. The additional funding and success of the program in Suffolk County has allowed the program to be instituted in 12 counties throughout the State.

Joseph P. Dwyer Project meets weekly in areas throughout the County including: St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, Beacon House in Bay Shore, Sag Harbor, The Vets Place in Yaphank, Rose Caracappa senior center in Mt. Sinai, Liberty Village in N. Amityville, Huntington YMCA in Huntington and North Shore LIJ VA Clinic in Bay Shore. The project can be accessed by calling (631) 853-8345 or by emailing vetspeertopeer@suffolkcountyny.gov.

“Having had a close cousin that suffered from PTSD, this issue is near and dear to my heart and I want to thank the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency, the Northport VA, our local VFW’s and all organizations who help to take care of veterans,” said County Legislator Bill Lindsay III. “We see more cases during the holiday season and this outreach effort is going to come at the right time, especially considering the recent rise of PTSD related suicides.”

Nancy Olsen, who has worked for over 25 years as a suicide prevention counselor at the Northport VA added, “the County and the VA share the same goal of offering help and support to any veteran who requires it. We will work our hardest to get them the help they need and deserve.

For photos of the event, visit www.facebook.com/stevebellone.