Mission: Recovery

Mountainside and the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Unite for Veterans’ Mental Health and Recovery

Thank you for attending Shaping the Future: Closing the Gaps in Veteran Mental Health & Recovery. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us.

This evening brought together leaders across clinical care, veteran services, advocacy, and the arts to address the mental health crisis facing our nation’s veterans. The program featured scenes from the feature film Between Wars to frame a powerful discussion moderated by Dave Manheim of the Dopey Podcast.

Together, we explored how connection, community, and compassionate care can help expand access to mental health and addiction support for those who’ve served, advancing our shared Mission: Recovery to create lasting change for veterans.

Event Speakers

Jana Wu | Director of Clinical Integration, Mountainside Treatment Center

Jessica Barone | Clinician, Mountainside Treatment Center

Benjamin Pomerance | Deputy Counsel, New York State Department of Veterans’ Services

Tommy Phillips | Writer & Director, Between Wars

Andre Basso | CEO, Mountainside Treatment Center

Panel Speakers

Dave Manheim | Host, The Dopey Podcast

Keith Appleton | Combat Veteran & Veterans Program Lead, Mountainside Treatment Center

Viviana DeCohen | Commissioner, New York State Department of Veterans’ Services

Dr. Manassa Hany | Director, Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Northwell Health

Dominic Chianese Jr. | Actor & Recovery Advocate

Evening Highlights

About “Between Wars”

Between Wars follows Bronx Marine veteran Franny Malloy as he struggles to rebuild his life after returning from Afghanistan. The film offers a raw glimpse into the emotional toll of reintegration and the complex realities of trauma, addiction, and recovery, highlighting the urgent need for greater compassion, understanding, and access to care.

Nonalcoholic Beverage Partner: Sober in Central Park

We are proud to partner with Sober in Central Park, a New York-based community redefining social connection without alcohol. Special thanks to Rachel Hechtman and the Sober in Central Park team for generously providing the nonalcoholic beverages for our guests.

View Event Photos

View BFA photos from the event

Watch Panel Discussion

Watch the event program

Resources

New York State Department of Veterans’ Services

The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services provides free, confidential assistance to veterans, service members, and their families. Their team helps connect you with benefits, mental health resources, and programs designed to support your wellbeing and transition after service.

Recovery TOC: Veterans Recovery Support Group

Mountainside offers a free weekly virtual support group open to all veterans and service members. This group brings vets together to address challenges related to addiction, trauma, moral injury, stigma, and reintegration – building strength and connection through shared experience.

Wednesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 PM ET

A Black woman looking at her mobile phone. Mountainside Recovery Helpline

Veterans Crisis Line

The Veterans Crisis Line offers 24/7, confidential support for veterans, service members, and their loved ones. If you’re in crisis or need someone to talk to, trained responders—many of them veterans themselves—are ready to help right now.

Dial 988, Press 1 | Text 838255

National Center for PTSD

The National Center for PTSD, part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is the world’s leading research and educational center on post-traumatic stress disorder. Explore resources, treatment options, and practical tools to help manage PTSD and promote recovery.

Veteran Addiction Treatment

Mountainside offers comprehensive, holistic addiction treatment to veterans and active-duty members. We understand and address the distinct needs of those who serve, blending evidence-based therapies with wellness techniques to restore balance to the mind, body, and spirit.

A woman veteran experiences veteran re-entry after her term.

Finding Hope and Healing

Read more about challenges veterans face during their transition from military to civilian life, including mental health issues like veteran PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as substance abuse problems.