Veterans and families invited Saturday to “Deal and Heal” event at Coulee Recovery Center, stemming from Afghanistan situation

The United States’ departure from Afghanistan has been upsetting for many people, especially veterans.

Beginning at noon Saturday, the Coulee Recovery Center in La Crosse (map) is hosting an event called “Operation Deal and Heal,” designed to help vets and others improve their mental health.

“A lot of these veterans that are currently dealing with the refugees out there are veterans that served in Afghanistan as well,” J.T. Savor, director of the La Crosse Area Veteran Mentor Program, said. “There’s a whole host of range of emotions that are gonna come from that.”

The event centers around helping the military community “deal and heal” from the emotions surrounding the recent Afghanistan situation. It will focus on wellness, coping mechanisms and education for military members and their families.

A rundown of the programs can be seen below.

Arianna Cirincione, who, along with Savor, have helped organize the event, sees vets go through struggles, in her work at the Coulee Recovery Center in La Crosse.

“Their normal isn’t really normal any more,” she said. “While they’re deployed, they had a heightened sense of stress, anxiety, possibly depression, a range of emotions, and then when they come back, and they’re experiencing normal life, it’s hard to adjust to that.”