Press Releases: Mental health

Blizzard Doesn't Stop Veterans from Storming the Capitol

Despite two storms that crippled the Capital District, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, pushed through the snow and have been triumphant during their annual Storm the Hill week.

Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans Ring Closing Bell at NASDAQ; Celebrate July 4th

July 2

NEW YORK –Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will ring the Closing Bell at The NASDAQ Stock Market in New York City. IAVA Board Member and Afghanistan veteran Wes Moore will lead the ceremony, joined by IAVA member veterans from the Tri-State area. The ceremony begins at 3:30 PM (EST) at the NASDAQ MarketSite at 4 Times Square, and is OPEN to the media. To attend, please RSVP to Michael Houston at michael@iava.org.

Statement on the Tragic Shooting Incident at Camp Liberty

May 11

NEW YORK – Today, on behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for the veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff issued the following statement in response to the shooting of U.S. troops by a fellow U.S. service member at a clinic inside Camp Liberty near Baghdad, Iraq:

IAVA Expands National PSA Campaign to Engage Friends and Families of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans

April 30

NEW YORK - Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, launched a new series of national public service advertisements (PSAs), in partnership with the Ad Council. The PSAs direct viewers to IAVA’s new website for the friends and families of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, www.SupportYourVet.org. IAVA is striving to reach a goal of 100,000 views of the new PSA by Mother’s Day, May 10th.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Respond on President Obama's 100th Day in Office

April 29

NEW YORK - Today, Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following review of President Obama's commitment to veterans' issues in his first 100 days in office:

Senator McCaskill Joins IAVA for Congressional Briefing Today on Capitol Hill

February 9

Senator McCaskill Joins IAVA for Important Congressional Briefing Today on Capitol Hill
New Veterans Will Highlight Critical Issues for 2009 (Suicide, PTSD, TBI)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonprofit group for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, will kick-off its fourth annual Storm the Hill advocacy week in Washington, D.C. with a Congressional briefing hosted by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and joined by Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO). The briefing will introduce IAVA’s 2009 Legislative Agenda and describe the landmark National Public Service Advertising (PSA) campaign created in partnership with the Ad Council. The briefing will take place on Monday, February 9th at 12:00 PM in Room SVC 212/210 in the Capitol Visitor Center and is OPEN to the media.

New Veterans Storm the Hill to Push for 2009 Legislative Priorities

February 5

New Veterans Storm the Hill to Push for 2009 Legislative Priorities
Veterans from 8 States Meet with Over 100 Congressional Offices to Encourage Support for Advance Funding, TBI, PTSD

NEW YORK - Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan group for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, announced that its annual Storm the Hill advocacy week will begin on Monday, February 9th, in Washington, D.C. Veterans from across the country will visit Capitol Hill to educate legislators on the most pressing issues facing their generation. The week will begin Sunday with a kick-off event in which local veterans will come together to lend their support to the campaign. On Monday veterans will hit the ground running with a congressional and media briefing event, followed by three packed days of meetings with over 100 Congressional offices. Details on both events can be found below.

Army Suicide Rate Reaches 27-Year Record High; IAVA Releases Groundbreaking Report on Troops' Mental Health

January 29

Army Suicide Rate Reaches 27-Year Record High; IAVA Releases Groundbreaking Report on Troops' Mental Health
IAVA Report Reveals Scope of Mental Health Problems and Proposes Crucial Policy Changes

NEW YORK - Responding to preliminary data released today by the Department of Defense (DoD) revealing a record-high suicide rate in the Army, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan group for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, introduced a comprehensive report on the psychological injuries faced by our newest generation of veterans.

Congressional Testimony Launches IAVA's 2009 Legislative Agenda

January 27

Congressional Testimony Launches IAVA's 2009 Legislative Agenda
Purple Heart Recipient Leads Call for Advance VA Funding and Prioritizing Veterans in the Economic Stimulus Package

Increased Divorce Rates Illustrate Strain on Deployed Troops

December 3

Pentagon Reveals Higher Divorce Rates among Active-Duty Soldiers and Marines
Numbers Reflect the Burden of Multiple Tours, Importance of Addressing the Mental Health Injuries of Returning Veterans

NEW YORK- Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement on the newly released Department of Defense figures, as recently reported by the Associated Press, which show an increase in the divorce rates among active-duty soldiers and Marines in the previous fiscal year.