Statement on Afghanistan from
the Rosalynn Carter Institute
Over the past week, we have watched in horror as the situation in Afghanistan worsens, and we can only imagine you are doing the same.
Many of you may be experiencing a wide range of feelings about Afghanistan. Whatever emotions you may be having are normal, and it’s also completely reasonable for those emotions to swing back and forth. You and your families have sacrificed so much. As you work to make sense of these sacrifices, the news may make that more difficult.
Often, the most difficult times offer the chance to dig deep and find the strength that lies within. Whether through our programs, listed below, or any others provided by our partners and friends, we encourage you to summon your own resilience and let it guide you through these times. Please let us know if we can help.
Operation Family Caregiver. The Rosalynn Carter Institute’s signature military coaching program, Operation Family Caregiver, provides free and confidential one-on-one support to caregivers of those injured as a result of their military service. Our specially-trained coaches help the families of returning service members and veterans find strength through their journey so they feel fully capable of living their best lives, regardless of what life throws at them. Coaching is available in both English and Spanish. Learn more and sign up here.
Operation Caregiver Support. Powered in part by Wounded Warrior Project®, Operation Caregiver Support is a virtual peer support group for those who provide care to post-9/11 service members and veterans. Operation Caregiver Support honors and empowers injured service members, veterans, and their families by fostering connections, cultivating new skills, and creating a community of support. Registrants must be a caregiver for a post-9/11 veteran or service member and a Wounded Warrior Project Family Support Member and/or a current or previous participant of Operation Family Caregiver. Learn more and sign up here..
Crisis Text Line. The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers has partnered with Crisis Text Line® to make it even easier for caregivers to reach out for help. Caregivers now can send a text with just the keyword TOUGH and open a conversation with a counselor trained to respond to a mental health crisis. Crisis Text Line® provides high-quality, free 24/7 text-based mental health support to support people in their moments of need. By texting TOUGH to 741741, family caregivers can receive support for feelings of loneliness, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or any other concern at any time of the day or night.
Your family’s service has taught you the true meaning of resilience. Need help with how to talk to your family about what is happening in Afghanistan? Check out this helpful resource from our partners Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Sesame Workshop. This is a difficult time, and we are here to support and walk alongside you. We are here with you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
