Breaking Barriers in Care: Veterans, Clinicians, and Advocates Unite in New York City

The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services and Mountainside Treatment Center will co-host a critical panel discussion on the future of Veteran mental health and recovery on Wednesday, November 12, at the Whitby Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

Titled Shaping the Future: Closing the Gaps in Veteran Mental Health & Recovery, the impactful evening will feature select scenes from the upcoming feature film Between Wars, starring Emmy Award-winning actor, writer, and director Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos) as “Sarge,” a combat Veteran turned therapist. Using the film as a springboard, the panel will examine the evolving challenges Veterans face in reintegrating into civilian life, confronting trauma, and navigating complex mental health systems.

Opening remarks will be delivered by Jana Wu, Director of Clinical Integration at Mountainside, followed by Benjamin Pomerance, Esq., Deputy Counsel of the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, Michael Imperioli, and Between Wars Director Tommy Phillips. The film is slated for release nationwide on streaming platforms in January 2026.

The conversation will be moderated by Dave Manheim, host of the popular Dopey podcast on addiction and recovery. Panelists include:

Together, the panel will address urgent issues such as rising rates of Veteran mental health challenges, substance misuse, and the impact of federal funding cuts to Veterans’ services.

“This is the first Veteran-focused event to directly confront the toughest mental health challenges Veterans face – and the stigma that still persists both within the military community and across society,” Keith Appleton, U.S. Army Combat Veteran and Clinician at Mountainside Treatment Center, said: “Our goal is to move beyond discussion and spark concrete actions that health care providers, Veteran organizations, and the media can immediately implement. Mountainside is proud to be expanding its offerings to include a new open-to-all Veteran Support Group and specialized clinical services and programming specifically tailored to Veterans.”

Viviana M. DeCohen, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services, USMC said, “Veteran suicide and addiction rates are more than double those of the general population. That stark reality demands fresh thinking, bold collaboration, and an emphasis on listening. This evening is not just about raising awareness – it is about fostering a genuine dialogue that creates solutions. By bringing together clinicians, advocates, artists, and Veterans themselves, we can help drive innovations that save lives and build a stronger, more supportive future for all who served.”

The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services proudly serves New York’s Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families, connecting them with benefits, services, and support. All who served should contact the Department at 888-838-7697 or via its website – veterans.ny.gov – to meet in-person or virtually with an accredited Veterans Benefits Advisor to receive the benefits they have earned. Follow DVS on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky Social.

Mountainside believes that everyone is capable of achieving recovery. Our compassionate, best-in-class staff provides comprehensive treatment with a holistic approach for you and your loved ones—delivered inpatient, outpatient, or virtually. Since our founding in 1998, this approach has positively reshaped the lives of more than 20,000 alumni. We know that people don’t get sober to stop using; they get sober to start living. Mountainside has been nationally recognized as one of the first treatment centers to earn ASAM 3.7, Joint Commission, and CARF accreditations, affirming its leadership in substance use disorder and drug and alcohol treatment. Addiction isn’t a choice. Mountainside is. We encourage you to learn more about how we do more and care more at mountainside.com. Follow Mountainside on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.