STR Behavioral Health Launches Overwatch Program for Veterans & Responders
STR Behavioral Health has launched Overwatch, a specialized program addressing the substance use and mental health challenges faced by military veterans and first responders. Located at STR Silver Pines in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, the program offers medical detoxification and residential treatment for individuals who’ve dedicated their lives to serving others and face elevated risk because of the demands of their work.
First responders and veterans face unique behavioral health challenges. Up to 32% of police officers, firefighters, and EMS professionals experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the National Library of Medicine. A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes that up to 90% of US veterans and first responders with a substance use disorder don’t receive the treatment they need.
“As a former officer, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for first responders to ask for help. With Overwatch, we’ve created a space where they don’t have to explain what they’ve been through — because we’ve lived it, too. We’re committed to walking beside them every step of the way,” said Brian Sabo, a former police officer who leads clinical partnerships at STR Silver Pines.
STR Silver Pines, part of the Odyssey Behavioral Healthcare network, serves the greater Philadelphia region and delivers evidence-based care in a trauma-informed, supportive environment. Overwatch supports Odyssey’s mission to bridge the treatment gap by offering culturally competent, clinically driven care tailored to those who’ve served on the front lines.
“The Overwatch program reflects our belief that clinical excellence is most powerful when paired with lived experience. As a veteran and physician, I understand the toll service can take. We’ve designed this program to meet veterans and first responders where they are — with personalized care and a team that truly gets it,” said Matthew Sommons, MD, a military veteran and medical director at STR Silver Pines.
Overwatch provides trauma-informed treatment for a wide range of behavioral health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and substance use disorders. The program helps clients build resilience, heal from trauma, and regain control of their lives, guided by a team of professionals with shared lived experience.
Program Highlights
- Veteran- and first responder-led therapy groups
- Specialized housing for peer connection and structure
- Priority admissions and transportation assistance
- Focus on post-traumatic growth and recovery
- Dedicated veteran and first responder support group
- In-network and out-of-network insurance accepted, plus private pay options
STR Silver Pines is proud to be a PsychArmor-certified “Veteran-Ready” healthcare organization and a participating provider in the VA Community Care Network. To learn more, visit STR Behavioral Health’s veterans and first responders program page.
About Odyssey Behavioral Healthcare
Odyssey Behavioral Healthcare, founded in 2015, provides individualized, evidence-based treatment for eating disorders, mental health conditions, dual diagnosis, and substance use disorders through a full continuum of residential and intensive outpatient treatment options. Learn more about Odyssey’s treatment locations.