(Long Island, NY) The Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (LICADD) was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Long Island Community Foundation for the Military Families in Training (M-FIT) Program.
Given the stressful nature of the military and the traumatizing experiences of war, many veterans experience psychological distress that is complicated by substance use. Many of these veterans are experiencing serious mental health concerns including substance use disorders (SUD) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, depression and serious psychological distress (SPD).
Due to the challenge of engaging veterans, LICADD will work to increase awareness of the M-FIT program to reach more veterans and their family members, expand partnerships and work towards removing the stigma associated with mental health needs in the military. Of the more than 700,000 veterans nationally, Long Island is the home to approximately 175,000. M-FIT is designed to build resiliency among returning service members and their families and to help veterans cope with the stress and trauma of their service to our country for reintegration into their community and family life.
“We are so grateful to the Long Island Community Foundation for supporting this important program. LICADD will continue to work with partner agencies to bring about increased support for our veterans mental health needs.” says Executive Director Steve Chassman.
For over 59 years, LICADD has successfully delivered evidence-based programs designed to prevent and treat substance abuse and addiction. LICADD offers crisis intervention, screenings, brief interventions, referrals to treatment and several family education workshops to help Long Islanders struggling with the effects of addiction. Through our Open Arms, EAP Program, LICADD has provided targeted solution-focused support to companies all along the East Coast, serving over 60,000 employees and their families.
For more information please call (516) 747-2606 or visit us on the web at www.licadd.org and Facebook.
