A popular program that provides mental health services to veterans in Suffolk County faces deep funding cuts without federal coronavirus relief.
The PFC Joseph Dwyer Peer Support Program has helped more than 10,000 Suffolk County military members who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Thomas Ronayn is with the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency. He says the Dwyer program needs federal disaster relief to keep up with an increased demand for services during the pandemic.
“We need help from our federal government. And we need our community to understand that the risk within the larger community and the veterans community specifically, is quite enormous right now. The social isolation, the challenges being confronted — our community needs us,” Ronayn said.
Ronayn said recent reports about an uptick in suicides among veterans underscore how critical the Dwyer program is.
Long Island has one of the largest veteran populations in the country.
