Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. - Bob Woodruff Foundation

Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.

Military Family Wellness Center at Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute

Although the Veteran’s Choice program has enabled more veterans to seek care outside the Veterans Affairs (VA), community providers often lack the requisite training and experience required to provide mental health care to military veterans, and veterans’ families often lack access to mental healthcare. The Military Family Wellness Center at Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute (MFWC) addresses these gaps in service by providing high-quality, cost-free, evidence-based mental health treatment in a confidential, non-governmental setting to veterans and their family members who do not benefit from, do not qualify for, or refuse services through, the VA system. The Center routinely employs cognitive-behavior therapy, prolonged exposure, emotionally-focused couples’ therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy. This BWF grant will provide best-in-class mental health assessment and treatment for 38 post-9/11 veterans or family members, resulting in symptom reduction and improved quality of life.