Clip of the Week: "Access for All"

Happy Veterans Day! In honor of all those who have served, for today’s Clip of the Week we bring you an episode of MNN’s “Access for All” that’s dedicated to the mental health needs of veterans.

Hosted by progressive blogger and author Heather Wokusch and produced by director and editor Gloria Messer, the public-advocacy focused “Access for All” won a Hometown Media Award for Cultural Perspectives last year. In this clip, Wokusch talks to Scott Thompson, Director of The Veterans Mental Health Coalition (VMHC), a division of the Mental Health Association of New York City, about the needs of local veterans and the services available to them.

It’s well known that a multitude of veterans struggle with physical, mental and emotional injuries sustained while on duty. In addition, many are coping with the additional stresses of inadequate housing, unemployment, financial hardship and strained relationships with family and friends. According to a fact sheet from VMHC, half of local veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have mental health needs, but only a third of those seek help. VMHC focuses on policy, advocacy and education in an effort to give veterans the services and help they need.

Watch the clip to learn about the services provided by VMHC and for tips on what civilians like you can do to help local veterans.

“Access for All” airs every other Tuesday at 9:30pm on MNN1 (TWC 34, RCN 82, FiOS 33) and streaming live here. Follow producer/host Heather Wokusch on YouTube, and check out producer Gloria Messer's Vimeo feed.