Latest news with #CohenVeteransNetwork
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Addressing Critical Gaps in Suicide Prevention for Military-Affiliated Women: New Report from Cohen Veterans Network
Supported by a grant from Face the Fight®, CVN research highlights key strategies to improve lethal means safety counseling for women veterans and service members STAMFORD, Conn., May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), a national not-for-profit network of mental health clinics for post-9/11 veterans, service members and their families, today announced the release of a new report that critically assesses the current state of lethal means safety research and practice for military-affiliated women. The analysis, conducted by CVN's Institute for Quality (CVN-IQ) with support from Face the Fight, provides actionable recommendations to enhance suicide prevention efforts for the nearly 2.5 million women who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military. (PRNewsfoto/Cohen Veterans Network) The report, "Identifying Gaps in Lethal Means Safety Counseling Research and Practice for Military-Affiliated Women," highlights the increasing rate of suicide among women veterans and active duty service members, with firearms cited as the most commonly used method. Despite the alarming statistics, existing suicide prevention strategies have historically taken a gender-neutral approach, overlooking the unique needs, experiences, and risks faced by military-affiliated women. Key highlights from the analysis, which draws on insights from subject matter experts with extensive experience in research, clinical training, and clinical practice, include: Misconceptions on Risk Factors: Enhanced training and clinical procedures can improve care for women by addressing gendered misconceptions of suicide risk and behaviors and ensuring that screening protocols assess firearm access rather than ownership. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST): Current lethal means safety counseling (LMSC) guidelines lack sufficient strategies to address the complexities introduced by IPV and MST, both of which heighten suicide risk in women. Cultural Gaps in Firearm Familiarization: A disconnect between clinicians' knowledge of firearm safety and military-affiliated women's firearm practices impacts the effectiveness of counseling. Barriers to Care: Many women face challenges accessing care due to systemic issues or fears regarding firearm access restrictions, limiting the reach of LMSC efforts. Public health approaches, such as targeted awareness campaigns, are instrumental in meeting military-affiliated women where they are. "Women veterans and service members face unique challenges and risks that require tailored, thoughtful approaches to suicide prevention," said Dr. David Linkh, director of CVN-IQ. "This gap analysis equips clinicians, researchers, and policymakers with actionable insights to address the needs of military-affiliated women and advance the field toward more effective interventions."
Associated Press
12-02-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Cohen Veterans Network Challenges Military Couples to Put Their Love in Action
Drawing from experience with over 17,000 individuals in couples therapy, CVN provides military couples with practical tools to strengthen relationships STAMFORD, Conn., Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), a national not-for-profit network of mental health clinics for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families, announced today the launch of Love in Action: A Military Couples Challenge, a new awareness campaign designed to provide military couples with tools and resources to strengthen their relationships while navigating the demands of military life. Since its inception in 2016, CVN has been committed to supporting military couples with over 17,000 individuals in couples therapy. Military couples face distinct challenges, including long separations and frequent moves. On average, service members are required to relocate every two to four years as part of their military service. Such obligations, combined with the day-to-day stressors of military life, can test even the strongest relationships – a reality experienced firsthand by many of the more than one million active duty service members, 15 million veterans, and their partners. 'Military couples are the foundation of strong and resilient families, yet they often face unique challenges that can strain their relationships,' said Cohen Veterans Network president and CEO Dr. Anthony Hassan. 'Through this campaign, we aim to empower military couples with practical tools to strengthen their partnerships and navigate life's stressors together.' At the center of Love in Action: A Military Couples Challenge is a Relationship Checklist. It is designed to help couples easily evaluate key aspects of their relationship such as communication and conflict resolution. Once couples identify areas for improvement, they're 'challenged' to utilize actionable strategies to help deepen their connection. 'Healthy relationships are fundamental to overall mental well-being,' said Dr. Hassan. 'CVN is focused on supporting military couples in ways that strengthen their ability to thrive, both individually and as a team.' Since 2016, CVN has treated 80,000 clients and provided over 700,000 clinical sessions. In addition to relationship challenges, the network treats a wide variety of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, transition challenges, adjustment issues, anger, PTSD, grief and loss, family issues, and children's behavioral problems. Care is available through the network's 22 Cohen Clinics serving 20 states in-person and via CVN Telehealth, face-to-face video therapy. Cohen Clinic B-roll and CVN map are available here. Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) is a 501(c)(3) national not-for-profit philanthropic organization for post-9/11 veterans, active duty service members and their families. CVN focuses on improving mental health outcomes, operating a network of outpatient mental health clinics in high-need communities, in which trained clinicians deliver holistic evidence-based care to treat mental health conditions. It was established in 2016 by philanthropist Steven A. Cohen with a commitment of $275 million to build the network. Learn more about CVN at
