CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Big news for military families, veterans, and Defense Department civilians in Japan and South Korea. New nonprofit mental health clinics are set to open soon on U.S. bases, courtesy of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES).
This fall, the Cohen Veterans Network will open locations at Camp Foster and Camp Humphreys. More clinics are also planned for Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, and Osan Air Base in South Korea, though exact timelines are yet to be confirmed.
“Taking care of military families is at the heart of the Exchange’s mission,” said AAFES director Tom Shull. The aim is to provide easy access to vital mental health care for military families stationed overseas.
These clinics will be independent from active-duty medical services. Their focus will be on military families, retirees, veterans, and DOD civilians. According to AAFES, they’re still ironing out plans for more locations and operational dates.
The Cohen Veterans Network was founded in 2016 by philanthropist Steven Cohen. Its goal is to remove barriers to mental health care for post-9/11 veterans, active-duty members, and their families. This expansion aims to increase access in the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S.-licensed clinicians will offer treatment for issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, and family problems. Services will include individual, couples, and group therapy, available both in person and via telehealth.
This development comes at a crucial time. Many overseas military communities have voiced concerns about getting mental health support. A significant limitation came in December 2022 when the Defense Health Agency restricted DOD civilians in Japan to limited appointments at military facilities, urging them to seek off-base care that often doesn’t accept foreign insurance.
According to an April report from the Government Accountability Office, many DOD civilians and families in Japan struggle to find English-speaking mental health providers who understand American culture. The World Health Organization also reported that Japan has fewer mental health professionals compared to the U.S.
There’s a growing need for these services. Recent statistics show that over 18% of service members experience mental health issues. As communities rally for better mental health resources, these new clinics aim to meet that demand.
In a time where mental health is becoming a priority, the opening of these clinics not only provides access but also signals a growing awareness and commitment to the well-being of military families abroad.
For more information on mental health resources available to veterans and military personnel, visit the [Department of Veterans Affairs](https://www.va.gov/health-care/).
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