Following President Biden’s announcement of a full U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, people close to the situation may feel a strong mix of positive and negative emotions, with the possibility of resulting PTSD or depression, according to experts.

Steffany Fredman, associate professor of human development at Penn State, provided expert opinion for this April 21 Washington Post article, “‘I started crying uncontrollably’: Dealing with mixed emotions over the pullout from Afghanistan.” Here is an excerpt:

“If veterans and service members are open to talking, try to offer a “safe, accepting place where they can share complex thoughts and feelings,” Fredman suggested. “Be curious and nonjudgmental, and show them that you can help hold the stress and pain.”

Read the full story in the Washington Post.