Bob Frolow says depression, suicide prevention and reluctance to seek assistance remain major concerns for local veterans. A new VA clinic in Linwood is expanding access to health care and support services.
ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. — For some military veterans, one of the most difficult battles begins long after they return home.
Depression, emotional struggles and reluctance to seek help can leave veterans facing serious challenges without the support they need, according to Atlantic County Veterans Services Officer Bob Frolow.
During a recent appearance on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND, Frolow discussed the challenges facing local veterans, the importance of suicide prevention and efforts to make mental health care more accessible through the newly expanded Veterans Affairs clinic in Linwood.
"The key right now is potential suicides, depression," Frolow told Williams. "A lot of guys, they're proud. They don't want to talk about that."
Frolow, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Army, said helping veterans feel comfortable enough to discuss their struggles is an important part of his work.
He also expressed concern about the time it takes some veterans to receive decisions on their benefits claims, although recent national figures from the Department of Veterans Affairs show substantial improvements in overall processing times.
Getting Veterans to Open Up
Frolow said one of the challenges facing veterans who are struggling emotionally is their reluctance to acknowledge that they need assistance.
For some, the same independence and determination that helped them through military service can make it difficult to ask for help after returning to civilian life.
Frolow described his approach when veterans are referred to his office.
"I just, I close the door, take the phone off the hook and tell me about yourself," he said. "Leave it up to them."
Rather than immediately directing the conversation, Frolow said he allows veterans to talk about their experiences and concerns at their own pace.
"And we're working out pretty good," he said.
However, encouraging veterans to take that first step remains difficult.
"But a lot of guys are very stubborn and difficult to get them in," Frolow said. "And we're all concerned about that."
His comments come during September's National Suicide Prevention Month, which draws attention to the importance of recognizing emotional distress and connecting people with appropriate care.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 6,398 veterans died by suicide nationwide in 2023, the latest year cited in recent VA reporting. That represents an average of approximately 17.5 deaths per day.
The national figures do not establish the number of veterans experiencing similar difficulties in Atlantic County, but they illustrate the broader public health challenge facing veterans and their families.
New Linwood VA Clinic Expands Access to Care
Frolow expressed optimism about the expanded Atlantic County VA Clinic in Linwood, which opened in December 2025.
The facility, located at 1201 New Road, Suite 120, replaced the previous VA clinic in Northfield.
At more than 20,000 square feet, the new clinic is more than twice the size of its predecessor.
The expansion was designed to accommodate additional medical services and provide more space for the growing veteran population in South Jersey.
"The new clinic in Linwood, they're going out of their way to open doors to get these guys in," Frolow said.
"That's a beautiful, beautiful building. Good staff."
The clinic operates as part of the Wilmington VA health care system, which provides services to approximately 51,000 veterans through its main medical center and outpatient clinics in Delaware and South Jersey.
When the Linwood facility opened, VA officials said the additional space would allow the agency to expand existing services and accommodate planned additions, including X-rays, CT scans and physical therapy.
The facility also provides access to mental health services.
Frolow said the challenge is making sure veterans are comfortable seeking assistance and connecting with the appropriate professionals.
"It's just a matter of getting the guys to be comfortable enough to come in and get started," he said.
Concerns About Veterans' Benefits Claims
In addition to mental health care, Frolow discussed the process veterans face when seeking federal benefits.
Asked whether he had noticed changes in Veterans Affairs services under the current administration, Frolow expressed disappointment with the pace of some claims.
"We thought we'd have bigger turnarounds coming in for claims and they're not yet," he said.
His comments reflect his experience working with veterans locally, but recently released national VA figures present a broader picture of the claims-processing system.
On Sept. 22, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it had processed more than 3 million disability benefits claims during fiscal year 2026 as of Sept. 18, surpassing the previous fiscal year's total before the end of September.
The agency also reported that the average time to complete a disability claim decision had fallen to 75.6 days in September 2026, compared with 141.5 days in January 2025.
Those national averages do not necessarily reflect the experiences of individual Atlantic County veterans, particularly those with complicated claims or cases requiring additional documentation.
The VA notes that processing times can vary depending on the type of claim, the complexity of the medical conditions involved and the time required to obtain supporting evidence.
For veterans navigating that process, local veterans services officers can provide assistance with applications, documentation and available benefits.
Golf Fundraiser Offers More Than Financial Support
Frolow spoke with Williams during an annual veterans golf fundraiser that raises money primarily for local veterans.
Despite concerns about the approaching nor'easter, he said the event drew a strong turnout.
"Well, primarily local veterans, yeah," Frolow said when asked whether the money raised would benefit veterans in the area.
"You'll note that the turnout is probably better than we really expected because of the weather."
But Frolow emphasized that the gathering provides something beyond financial assistance.
For veterans who have become less socially active, events like the golf outing offer an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and fellow service members.
"That's the best part, because again, we're talking about some of these guys are having issues where they're not as public as they used to be," Frolow said.
"But an event like this comes up, they go out of their way to make sure they're here to see guys they haven't seen for a while and get friendly again, which is great."
Williams described the gathering as good therapy, and Frolow agreed.
"Absolutely," he said.
The importance of those personal connections is also being emphasized nationally.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging veterans to reach out to fellow service members during Buddy Check Week, Sept. 21-25, 2026.
The initiative encourages veterans to call, text or visit one another, particularly those who may have become socially isolated or are experiencing difficulties.
The VA emphasizes that veterans do not need to wait until someone is in crisis to reach out and offer support.
A Veteran Helping Other Veterans
Frolow's commitment to helping veterans is informed by his own military service and personal experiences.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and has continued working with veterans in Atlantic County for years.
During the interview, he also discussed his experience using a wheelchair and undergoing physical therapy.
Frolow told Williams he hopes to eventually return to playing golf, a sport he previously enjoyed.
The conversation reflected the personal connection he maintains with the veterans he serves.
Whether helping someone navigate benefits, encouraging a veteran to seek mental health care or bringing former service members together at community events, Frolow emphasized the importance of making assistance accessible.
"At least we're ready if they need us for anything, whatever it might be," he said.
Where Atlantic County Veterans Can Find Help
Veterans and their families have several options for obtaining assistance with mental health care, benefits and other services.
The Atlantic County Office of Veterans Services is located at 201 S. Shore Road in Northfield. The office can be reached at 609-677-5700.
The Atlantic County VA Clinic is located at 1201 New Road, Suite 120, in Linwood. Veterans can contact the facility for information about available medical services, eligibility and enrollment.
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs also operates a Veterans Service Office at the Atlantic City Armory, 1008 Absecon Blvd. The office can be reached at 609-671-3505 or 609-671-3506.
Veterans experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis can contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1.
They can also text 838255 to connect with a crisis counselor.
The service is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to use the crisis line.
For Frolow, the message to veterans is that assistance is available, and reaching out is an important first step.
"It's just a matter of getting the guys to be comfortable enough to come in and get started," he said.
Bob Frolow discussed veterans' mental health, benefits and local support services during a Sept. 24 appearance on The Don Williams Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND. The Don Williams Show airs Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 a.m.
About the Author
Scott Stephens
Scott has been an on-air personality, producer and newscaster for 30+ years. He has been a mainstay in the South Jersey Community and on the air across many different area stations. Scott can currently be heard on Kool 98.3 and News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.
