New Clinics Abroad Bring Cohen Veterans Network Mental Health Care onto U.S. Bases in Japan and South Korea

A direct push to bring mental health care to families on base

Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) is taking its services overseas. The nonprofit announced plans to open mental health clinics on U.S. military bases in Japan and South Korea to serve service members, veterans who live on base, and their families. The move places CVN clinicians inside American communities abroad rather than asking families to travel off base or rely only on remote care.

The expansion is notable because it pairs CVN with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), the organization that runs many base shops, services and facilities. AAFES involvement is meant to make it easier for CVN to find clinic space and reach families who already use exchange locations. The initial rollout focuses on bases where thousands of American troops and their dependents live, aiming to reduce barriers to care for spouses, children and veterans stationed overseas.

Where the clinics will be and how families will use them

The new clinics will offer a mix of in-person appointments and telehealth options so families can choose what fits them best. In-person care will be located on or very near exchange property on selected U.S. bases in Japan and South Korea. That puts clinicians inside the daily life of military communities — close to schools, shops and family housing.

Services are expected to cover standard outpatient mental health care: evaluations, therapy for adults and children, and ongoing treatment for common issues such as depression, anxiety and trauma. CVN typically focuses on evidence-based therapies and continuity of care, so patients can expect regular follow-ups rather than one-off visits. Scheduling and hours will reflect base life, with an eye to early evenings or weekend slots that help families juggle duty schedules and school.

How AAFES helps make clinics work on base

AAFES acts as a bridge between the nonprofit and the military community. By providing access to exchange property, AAFES can shorten the lead time needed to open a clinic and cut some costs tied to finding and securing space. The partnership also gives CVN a built-in way to announce services: exchange channels reach families who already use on-base stores and facilities.

Beyond space, AAFES can help with day-to-day logistics like signage, parking and basic facility support. The announcement frames the relationship as operational and outreach-focused rather than a formal funding pact, meaning AAFES eases set-up and visibility while CVN supplies clinical staff and program management.

How this expansion could change care for families overseas

Putting mental health clinicians where families live is likely to ease one of the biggest hurdles military households face: access. When care is nearby, families are less likely to delay treatment because of travel, time zones or unfamiliar local systems. For children and spouses who move with service members, an on-base clinic can offer faster intake and a smoother handoff from one location to the next.

There will still be challenges. Caring well for families in Japan and South Korea means thinking about language, culture and military norms. CVN will need clinicians who understand military life abroad and, in some cases, bilingual staff or reliable interpreters to serve non-English-speaking family members. The nonprofit has stated goals around improving continuity and quality of care, and putting clinicians on base is a clear step toward those outcomes.

Money, staffing and whether this can last

CVN operates as a nonprofit and relies on philanthropy, donations and grants to fund its clinics. Opening sites on foreign bases will add costs for staffing, licensing and operations, but the AAFES partnership can reduce build-out expenses by providing suitable space. The plan appears to combine donor support with operational savings from cooperative base arrangements.

Staffing will come from a mix of local hires and clinicians who travel or work remotely. Telehealth helps stretch clinician capacity, but sustainable staffing hinges on recruiting mental health professionals willing to work within military communities abroad. Long-term success will depend on steady funding, efficient use of exchange facilities and demonstrated results that keep donors and partners engaged.

Where this fits in the bigger picture and what to watch next

CVN’s move is part of a wider trend: nonprofits and private groups are increasingly plugging gaps in veterans’ and military family care. By locating clinics on U.S. bases, CVN sidesteps some of the administrative friction families face when seeking care in foreign health systems.

Watch for the first clinic openings, patient numbers, and any early reports on wait times and care outcomes. If the pilot reduces delays and increases follow-up care, CVN could extend the model to more bases or other countries. For now, the announcement represents a straightforward attempt to make mental health care easier for American families living overseas — a practical change that could matter a lot in day-to-day life on base.

Sources

• prnewswire.com