Colorado Springs veterans service center offers counseling resources amid Afghanistan crisis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- Recent events out of Afghanistan have brought up a number of emotions for veterans in the Pikes Peak region.

"Of course freedom isn’t free. There’s been a lot of sacrifice over the years of our military members and their families, providing the mission," said Robert McLaughlin, the executive director of Mt. Carmel Veteran Services.

McLaughlin served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

"To hear the outcome is so negative at this point is obviously disheartening," said McLaughlin.

Charissa Thayer is a behavioral health intake specialist at Mt. Carmel. Her department offers counseling and support groups. She says she's spoken to a number of veterans feeling upset, have old memories come up, or concern for people they met in Afghanistan.

"That’s why it’s so important to get the news out there that there are services available, and we are here to support both veterans, active duty, and their families because they can all be affected right now," said Thayer.

McLaughlin says the despite the emotional challenges veterans may be facing right now, in his eyes, some good did come of US Troops being in Afghanistan for the last 20 years.

"The thing that people haven’t talked about recently is the fact that we’ve changed lives in those 20 years. Young Afghan women have come here and had an opportunity to grow. Afghan men have flourished that wanted to, so in my mind's eye the 20 years are not in vain," said McLaughlin.

To learn more about counseling services you can visit the Mt. Carmel website.