FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PSO announces AEP Foundation grant to Cohen Military Family Clinic at Red Rock
LAWTON, Okla. (January 25, 2023) – For each U.S. soldier killed in combat, four die by their own hands -- a stunning Brown University statistic that underlies Public Service Company of Oklahoma’s Wednesday announcement of a $30,000 American Electric Power Foundation grant to the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Red Rock.
Suicide rates among active-duty military members are at their highest point since record-keeping began after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America and have been increasing over the past five years. The Department of Veterans Affairs says about 20 military veterans a day take their own lives, a rate four times higher than combat deaths during military operations.
The AEP Foundation grant will help ensure the continued ability of the Cohen Military Clinic at Red Rock to provide a full range of mental health services to uninsured veterans and their families.
AEP Foundation is a charitable private foundation of American Electric Power and its operating subsidiaries, including PSO.
“The work of the Cohen Military Family Clinic is vital to Oklahoma’s veterans,” said Michael Hixson, a PSO external affairs manager in western Oklahoma and a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel. “PSO is proud to advocate on behalf of the clinic. They are there for the former soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have sacrificed much and deserve the honor and support of the American people.”
Oklahoma is home to nearly 340,000 veterans, 260,000 of whom served in wartime. Southwest Oklahoma is home to nearly 10,000 post-9/11 veterans, 13,000 active-duty members and 29,000 military family members. Nationally, the VA reports that post-traumatic stress disorder is seen in 11% to 20% of those who have served, and their families often face similar challenges. More than 50,000 residents of southwest Oklahoma are eligible for treatment at Cohen Military Family Clinic at Red Rock.
“We deeply appreciate this AEP Foundation grant, which will go to serve those who served our nation,” said Amista Chambers, clinic director. “Academic studies show 40 percent of veterans who return home from deployment have mental health challenges that are not being treated. The mental health services provided to veterans and their families by the government and civilian providers can be difficult or impossible to access or inadequate to meet this very fundamental need. We must and will do better.”
About PSO
PSO, a unit of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), is an electric utility company serving more than 568,000 customer accounts in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma, powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and 232 communities. Based in Tulsa, PSO has approximately 3,800 megawatts of diverse generating capacity that primarily includes wind and natural gas. It maintains and operates more than 24,000 miles of distribution lines and 3,700 miles of transmission lines and is one of the largest distributors of wind energy in the state. Find news releases and other information at www.PSOklahoma.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, NextDoor and Instagram @PSOklahoma.
About American Electric Power (AEP)
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 6,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
About the AEP Foundation
The American Electric Power Foundation is funded by American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) and its operating subsidiaries. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives involving higher dollar values and multi-year commitments in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area.
The Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math; by meeting basic needs for emergency shelter, affordable housing and the elimination of hunger; and championing social and racial justice. Other Foundation support may be offered to protect the environment, promote healthcare and safety, and enrich life through art, music and cultural heritage.
Media Contact:
Wayne Greene
PSO Corporate Communications
(918) 521-1474
lwgreene@aep.com