Eric Golnick

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Eric Golnick
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Eric Golnick is an American veteran of the United States Navy and an advocate for mental healthcare among military veterans, with a particular emphasis on preventing United States military veteran suicide. He grew up in a military family and graduated with honors from the University of Miami, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 2009 and a Master of Arts in International Administration in 2014. After commissioning as a Naval Officer, Golnick participated in operations across Asia, including the response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Contents

Following his military service, which included experiences that led to overcoming challenges with alcohol and PTSD, Golnick became a vocal advocate for veterans' mental health. He has served as a Senior Policy Analyst at U.S. Southern Command and later as a Strategic Planner at the Natick Army Research Labs. In 2016, he co-founded Forge Health, where he serves as CEO, focusing on providing mental health and substance abuse treatment for veterans, first responders, and their families.

Forge Health has partnered with the Veterans Administration to expand mental health services and has adapted its offerings to include telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Golnick has testified before Congress on veterans' mental health issues and has received recognition for his work, including an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Miami in 2023.

Early life and education

Golnick grew up in a military family. [1] He attended Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. [2] He graduated with honors from the University of Miami in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts and later completed a Master of Arts in International Administration in 2014. [3] He attended Officer Candidate School in 2009 and was commissioned as a Naval Officer. [4] Golnick has credited his experiences at the University of Miami for shaping his approach to leadership and career development. [3]

Military service

During his military service, Golnick was involved in operations and exercises across Asia. He worked for the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Japan and participated in contingency operations during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. [4] [5] These experiences, along with witnessing the suicide of a fellow sailor [6] and facing challenges as a gay Naval officer under the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, contributed to Golnick's decision to leave active duty. [7]

Golnick later took on the role of Senior Policy Analyst and Legal Protections Process program manager in the Policy and Strategic Initiatives Division, J-5 Directorate, U.S. Southern Command Headquarters in Doral, Florida, from 2012 to 2016. He later served as a Strategic Planner at the Natick Army Research Labs in Natick, Massachusetts. [8] He has worked with the United States President’s National Security Council, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the U.S. Congress on many topics regarding U.S. foreign policy and veterans affairs. [9]

After leaving the military, he began to drink alcohol excessively. [1] He developed Post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in the United States military. [10] He eventually got sober and found a therapist who understood military culture. [1] These events later informed his work in advocating for mental health care for veterans. [5]

Post-military career

Forge Health and VFR (Veterans and First Responders) healthcare

In 2016, Golnick co-founded Forge Health and serves as the CEO of Forge VFR Healthcare (Veteran and First Responder Healthcare), focusing on providing care for substance abuse and mental health issues to veterans, first responders, and their families. He founded the organization based on his own experience with substance abuse and the challenges of finding culturally competent treatment as a veteran. [5] The first facility opened in Manchester, New Hampshire. [11]

Forge Health partnered with the Veterans Administration in 2018 to expand mental health care services to veteran communities, contributing to the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide. [5] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Forge Health extended its services to include telemedicine, offering care for veterans, first responders, and their families. Forge Health offers various services, including intensive outpatient group therapy for substance use and mental health issues, telehealth therapy, and brief treatment options for those facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization aims to provide veterans with timely access to treatment and support underserved populations, including women, LGBTQ veterans, and those with any discharge status. [5]

Congressional testimony

Golnick has testified before Congress on topics related to veterans' mental health care, suicide prevention, and substance abuse treatment, advocating for improved access to care for veterans. [12]

Honorary degree and recognition

In May 2023, Golnick spoke at the undergraduate degree ceremony for the University of Miami's College of Arts and Sciences and Division of Continuing and International Education, where he was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. [13] In his speech, he shared his experiences with PTSD, substance abuse, and his transition to co-founding Forge Health. He encouraged graduates to prepare for life's hardships and emphasized the importance of mental and physical health. [7]

He was announced as part of the 2021 Class of the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program through the Bush Institute. [14]

Advocacy

Eric Golnick has made contributions to veteran and first responder advocacy, particularly concerning mental health and community support. Golnick has written about the vulnerability of former military members to extremist ideologies, particularly following their transition to civilian life, due to factors like unaddressed trauma, substance use, and a diminished sense of belonging. [15]

LGBTQ

He has been involved in LGBTQ mental health advocacy in the U.S. military. [16] [17] [18] In June 2020, Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) convened a roundtable with Golnick to address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA veterans and first responders and to discuss a newly organized therapy group tailored for their needs. [19] He protested against Florida's Don't Say Gay law in 2022. [20]

Mental health

He is an advocate for suicide prevention among veterans, focusing on the urgent need for mental health and substance abuse support. [21] He collaborates with the VA to provide immediate assistance, addressing the rising suicide rates among younger veterans and emphasizing the importance of family support in the healing process. [22] He emphasizes the importance of proactive strategies for veterans and first responders to combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and depression during winter. [23] He has sought to support veterans who are affected by Fireworks during holiday celebrations. [24] He had a conversation with Robert Asencio about PTSD and substance abuse. [25]

COVID-19 pandemic

He addressed the immediate emotional toll of COVID-19 on healthcare workers, including exhaustion and anxiety, and stresses the importance of self-care and seeking therapy to prevent long-term PTSD. [26] [27] He also spoke out about the need to support military veterans during the pandemic. [28]

Related Research Articles

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental and behavioral disorder that develops from experiencing a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, warfare, traffic collisions, child abuse, domestic violence, or other threats on a person's life or well-being. Symptoms may include disturbing thoughts, feelings, or dreams related to the events, mental or physical distress to trauma-related cues, attempts to avoid trauma-related cues, alterations in the way a person thinks and feels, and an increase in the fight-or-flight response. These symptoms last for more than a month after the event and can include triggers such as misophonia. Young children are less likely to show distress, but instead may express their memories through play. A person with PTSD is at a higher risk of suicide and intentional self-harm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veteran</span> Experienced worker or military retiree

A veteran is a person who has significant experience and expertise in an occupation or field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veterans Health Administration</span> Health service for former United States military personnel

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the component of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) led by the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health that implements the healthcare program of the VA through a nationalized healthcare service in the United States, providing healthcare and healthcare-adjacent services to veterans through the administration and operation of 146 VA Medical Centers (VAMC) with integrated outpatient clinics, 772 Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC), and 134 VA Community Living Centers Programs. It is the largest division in the department, and second largest in the entire federal government, employing over 350,000 employees. All VA hospitals, clinics and medical centers are owned by and operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and all of the staff employed in VA hospitals are federal employees. Because of this, veterans that qualify for VHA healthcare do not pay premiums or deductibles for their healthcare but may have to make copayments depending on the medical procedure. VHA is not a part of the US Department of Defense Military Health System.

Peer support occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, emotional, social or practical help to each other. It commonly refers to an initiative consisting of trained supporters, and can take a number of forms such as peer mentoring, reflective listening, or counseling. Peer support is also used to refer to initiatives where colleagues, members of self-help organizations and others meet, in person or online, as equals to give each other connection and support on a reciprocal basis.

Sex is correlated with the prevalence of certain mental disorders, including depression, anxiety and somatic complaints. For example, women are more likely to be diagnosed with major depression, while men are more likely to be diagnosed with substance abuse and antisocial personality disorder. There are no marked gender differences in the diagnosis rates of disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Men are at risk to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to past violent experiences such as accidents, wars and witnessing death, and women are diagnosed with PTSD at higher rates due to experiences with sexual assault, rape and child sexual abuse. Nonbinary or genderqueer identification describes people who do not identify as either male or female. People who identify as nonbinary or gender queer show increased risk for depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. People who identify as transgender demonstrate increased risk for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madigan Army Medical Center</span> Hospital in Washington, United States

The Madigan Army Medical Center, located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord just outside Lakewood, Washington, is a key component of the Madigan Healthcare System and one of the largest military hospitals on the West Coast of the United States.

Military psychiatry covers special aspects of psychiatry and mental disorders within the military context. The aim of military psychiatry is to keep as many serving personnel as possible fit for duty and to treat those disabled by psychiatric conditions. Military psychiatry encompasses counseling individuals and families on a variety of life issues, often from the standpoint of life strategy counseling, as well as counseling for mental health issues, substance abuse prevention and substance abuse treatment; and where called for, medical treatment for biologically based mental illness, among other elements.

Prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is a form of behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. It is characterized by two main treatment procedures – imaginal and in vivo exposures. Imaginal exposure is repeated 'on-purpose' retelling of the trauma memory. In vivo exposure is gradually confronting situations, places, and things that are reminders of the trauma or feel dangerous. Additional procedures include processing of the trauma memory and breathing retraining.

As defined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, military sexual trauma (MST) are experiences of sexual assault, or repeated threatening sexual harassment that occurred while a person was in the United States Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wounded Warrior Project</span> Nonprofit organization

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is an American charity and veterans service organization that operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3). WWP offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans who incurred a physical or mental injury, illnesses, or co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001. Military family members and caregivers are also eligible for WWP programs.

The Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control (NCCOSC) is a U.S. Navy Medicine organization established to promote psychological health in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It is a culturally relevant center that leverages sound medical knowledge to improve resilience, preserve psychological health, improve care for sailors, marines and their families and facilitate Navy Medicine research efforts on psychological health and traumatic brain injury.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System is a health care organization that provides care to Massachusetts’ Veterans. It is part of the VA New England Healthcare System, one of 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) within the VA. The VA New England Healthcare System includes VA medical centers in Boston and all six New England states. The VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System includes a medical center in Northampton and community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Greenfield, Worcester, Pittsfield, Springfield and Fitchburg.

The Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) is an organization offering training for behavioral health professionals who provide mental health services unique to the experience of deployment in the United States Armed Forces for active-duty military service members, veterans and their families. CDP is headquartered at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, Maryland, and is funded by the United States Department of Defense.

A moral injury is an injury to an individual's moral conscience and values resulting from an act of perceived moral transgression on the part of themselves or others. It produces profound feelings of guilt or shame, moral disorientation, and societal alienation. In some cases it may cause a sense of betrayal and anger toward colleagues, commanders, the organization, politics, or society at large.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States military veteran suicide</span> Suicide among veterans of the United States armed forces

United States military veteran suicide is an ongoing phenomenon regarding the high rate of suicide among U.S. military veterans in comparison to the general civilian public. A focus on preventing veteran suicide began in 1958 with the opening of the first suicide prevention center in the United States. During the mid-1990s, a paradigm shift in addressing veteran suicide occurred with the development of a national strategy which included several Congressional Resolutions. More advancements were made in 2007, when the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act created a comprehensive program including outreach at each Veterans Affairs Office (VA) and the implementation of a 24-hour crisis hotline. PTSD, depression, and combat-related guilt in veterans are often related to suicide as it can be difficult for veterans to transition to civilian life.

Operational stress injury or OSI is a non-clinical, non-medical term referring to a persistent psychological difficulty caused by traumatic experiences or prolonged high stress or fatigue during service as a military member or first responder. The term does not replace any individual diagnoses or disorders, but rather describes a category of mental health concerns linked to the particular challenges that these military members or first responders encounter in their service. There is not yet a single fixed definition. The term was first conceptualized within the Canadian Armed Forces to help foster understanding of the broader mental health challenges faced by military members who have been impacted by traumatic experiences and who face difficulty as a result. OSI encompasses a number of the diagnoses found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classification system, with the common thread being a linkage to the operational experiences of the afflicted. The term has gained traction outside of the military community as an appropriate way to describe similar challenges suffered by those whose work regularly exposes them to trauma, particularly front line emergency first responders such as but not limited to police, firefighters, paramedics, correctional officers, and emergency dispatchers. The term, at present mostly used within Canada, is increasingly significant in the development of legislation, policy, treatments and benefits in the military and first responder communities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warrior Care Network</span> U.S. military veteran mental health program

Warrior Care Network is a mental health program that provides care, travel, and accommodations at no cost for United States veterans and their families. Treatment options consist of intensive outpatient care, mainly focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST), and related conditions such as anxiety and depression. Warrior Care Network began accepting veterans into the program on January 15, 2016. It was created by a joint effort between Wounded Warrior Project, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and partners consisting of four academic medical research hospitals located throughout the United States. The four programs are Operation Mend at UCLA Health, the Veterans Program at Emory Healthcare, Road Home at Rush University Medical Center, and Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trauma and first responders</span> Trauma experienced by first responders

Trauma in first responders refers to the psychological trauma experienced by first responders, such as police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, often as a result of events experienced in their line of work. The nature of a first responder's occupation continuously puts them in harm's way and regularly exposes them to traumatic situations, such as people who have been harmed, injured, or killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internet-based treatments for trauma survivors</span>

Internet-based treatments for trauma survivors is a growing class of online treatments that allow for an individual who has experienced trauma to seek and receive treatment without needing to attend psychotherapy in person. The progressive movement to online resources and the need for more accessible mental health services has given rise to the creation of online-based interventions aimed to help those who have experienced traumatic events. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown to be particularly effective in the treatment of trauma-related disorders and adapting CBT to an online format has been shown to be as effective as in-person CBT in the treatment of trauma. Due to its positive outcomes, CBT-based internet treatment options for trauma survivors has been an expanding field in both research and clinical settings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veterans Crisis Line</span> Emergency telephone number for veterans and associates

The Veterans Crisis Line is a United States-based crisis hotline for military veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers. The service is available 24/7 via the toll-free hotline number 988. Callers press 1 on their keypad to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line instead of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which shares the same number. It can also be reached by texting the SMS number 838255 or via online chat on the hotline's website.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Alternative Healing Methods for Veterans on their Roads to Recovery". NHPBS. 2017-05-30. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  2. ↑ "One Zany Family". South Florida Sun Sentinel. May 20, 2005. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  3. 1 2 "Eric Golnick | UM Alumni Association". alumni.miami.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  4. 1 2 "Eric Golnick bio" (PDF). United States Congress.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Navy Veteran finds new purpose - VA News". 2021-01-06. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  6. ↑ Nolan, Sarah. "Paramus clinic offers free mental health care to veterans, first responders". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  7. 1 2 Jones, Jr., Robert. "Undergraduate students celebrate their past, future". news.miami.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  8. ↑ "Eric Golnick". gordoninstitute.fiu.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  9. ↑ "NJCU to Host NJCU National Security Annual Symposium on July 13 | New Jersey City University". www.njcu.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  10. ↑ "PTSD And A Bottle Of Whisky, Eric Golnick's Journey Of Recovery And National Work As A Mental Health Provider - Silent Struggle Hosted By Military And Police Veterans". iHeart. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  11. ↑ Mackin, Jean (2017-11-17). "New health care facility focused on veterans opens in Manchester". WMUR. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  12. ↑ "Written Testimony of Eric Golnick and Eric Frieman, Co-Founders, VFR Healthcare Before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Subcommittees on Health and Oversight and Investigations" (PDF). U.S. Congress. February 12, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Pioneers to share their stories, guide graduates | University of Miami Development and Alumni Relations". news.miami.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  14. ↑ "Bush Institute Announces 2021 Class of Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program". George W. Bush Presidential Center. 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  15. ↑ Golnick, Eric (2021-02-25). "Why So Many Veterans Find the Path to Extremism". Military.com. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  16. ↑ "Forge Health – The Legacy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' on LGBTQ+ Service Members' Mental Health". events.riseup.vet. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  17. ↑ Jaslow, Allison; Golnick, Eric; Michael, Ian; Schuler, Megan S.; Williams, Kayla M. (2024-06-04). How Could Evolving State Policies Affect LGBTQ+ Veterans' Health? (Report). RAND Corporation.
  18. ↑ "Veteran-Owned Company Offers Therapy to LGBTQ+ Veterans". New Hampshire Public Radio. 2020-07-06. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  19. ↑ "ICYMI: Pappas Holds Roundtable with VFR Healthcare | Congressman Chris Pappas". pappas.house.gov. 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  20. ↑ Levesque, Brody (2022-03-10). ""The Kids Are Alright," gay vets & Gen Z take on Florida's anti-LGBTQ+ law". Los Angeles Blade: LGBTQ News, Rights, Politics, Entertainment. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  21. ↑ "Report links substance use and suicide among Veterans, offers support - VA News". 2021-09-07. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  22. ↑ DeCiccio, Emily (2018-10-01). "Veteran on mission to combat suicide in military community". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  23. ↑ "Eric Golnick 01-16-24". WFEA 1370AM. 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  24. ↑ Strunsky, Steve (2018-07-03). "Have veterans in your neighborhood? Tell them before you blast off fireworks". nj. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  25. ↑ "PTSD And A Bottle Of Whisky, Gulf War Veteran Eric Golnick's Journey – Silent Struggle Series – Vets and badges" . Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  26. ↑ Robin, Natasha (2020-04-08). "Healthcare workers on the front lines of COVID-19 pandemic may be dealing with PTSD in the future". Fox 8. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  27. ↑ Blanchard, Lauren (2020-04-02). "Veteran and First Responder healthcare provides telemental health services to those on coronavirus front lines". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
  28. ↑ Crompton, Jennifer (2020-10-19). "Veterans groups say more support needed". WMUR. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
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