More help for Rockville Centre vets

Following through on his pledge to “be there” for veterans in need, Art Rosenthal, executive director of the Confide Counseling and Consultation Center, has announced that the center will sponsor a new peer support group for, and run by, veterans at the center’s Hempstead Avenue facility.

Ten veterans have already signed up for the group, which is set to meet for the first time on June 25, at 10 a.m. Led by Rosenthal and Confide’s Veterans Project manager, Bob Raphael, who saw active duty in Vietnam, the group will tackle problems like substance abuse, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and medication management as well as issues facing older veterans.

“I’m optimistic about the guided peer support group,” Rosenthal said. “I think that these are people who’ve had experiences that are life-altering, and they’re willing to help each other out based on their intimate, personal knowledge of that experience. I’m truly optimistic.”

At an informal luncheon on June 5 — part of Confide’s ongoing community education and outreach effort to launch its new programs for veterans — Rosenthal and Raphael reported on other accomplishments since the last meeting in March. A veterans-only Alcoholics Anonymous group was formed, and now meets every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Confide.

Raphael has also been working with combat veterans in the Military Wellness Program at Holliswood Hospital in Queens for the past 10 weeks. He said he has developed a good rapport with both patients and staff, who have invited him to join them for social events like barbecues and were especially adamant that he attend their Memorial Day commemoration.

Raphael also said that on June 6, at a meeting of the New York City chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, he conducted a 2½-hour workshop on combat trauma and addiction with Eva Usadi, a well-known trauma therapist who has worked with 9/11 first responders as well as active-duty servicemen at Fort Drum in New York.

Confide offers help to veterans with substance abuse and other problems free of charge, with no paperwork and as quickly as possible. It also refers veterans to others who can help them access additional resources, if necessary. Rosenthal and Raphael said that veterans who are interested in any of the programs can call either of them at (516) 764-5522.

“Through the guided peer support group,” Raphael said, “we hope that some of the guys will seek us out on an individual basis. We have a lot of hope for this.”