As Veterans Day approaches, attention is turning to the challenges facing New York City’s veteran population — especially when it comes to mental health.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 1.7 million veterans received treatment in a VA mental health specialty program last year.

One of them, Queens native and former Marine Bill Vallely, said seeking help changed his life.

“Rehashing memories that I kind of buried. I never knew that I buried them until I actually had to talk about them,” Vallely said.

After serving two tours in Iraq, Vallely said he struggled with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. For years, he avoided applying for government benefits or working with nonprofits, believing others needed help more.

That changed when a fellow Marine

See Full Page