For some of these Soldiers and Families it is a first deployment, while for others it is yet another multiple time in Service to our country abroad. Deployments are a challenging time for both Soldiers and Families. And upon return, navigating through changes and recognizing potential impacts upon the well-being of an individual and Family can sometimes be difficult to address.
Over 1.6 million men and women have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to date. Almost half of those Service Members are married, and almost half have dependent children--the majority 5 years old and younger.
Army OneSource announces a community outreach program, supported by the U.S. Army, to raise awareness of the unique challenges of Military life on our Service Members and their Families, and to address the growing demand for behavioral health and well-being services.
In today’s unique combat situation--where there is no front line and constant vigilance must be maintained on the ground, where individuals are serving as many as four deployments that are longer in duration than in the past, and where Service Members and Families are asked to give more because of our all-volunteer Military--we’re learning that “The wounds of war are not limited to the battlefield.”
Army OneSource has launched a formal campaign to encourage civilian health, behavioral health and well-being providers to complete an online course in the series titled, “Treating the Invisible Wounds of War.”
This series of courses was designed to help primary care physicians, case workers, mental health providers and other professionals - who may see a veteran or family member on an unrelated issue - develop a better understanding of the culture in which Service Members and Veterans, as well as their families, live and work. The courses also provide best practices for identifying, assessing, and treating behavioral health problems that result from the trauma of war.
In addition to better supporting Service Members, those who complete the course will:
- receive a poster to display in their offices inviting Service Members and their Families to talk to a health professional about any troubling symptoms,
- receive a Certificate of Completion suitable for framing, and
- be eligible for Continuing Education credit.
Posts
1 comment:
If you need help finding mental health providers in your area, you can also visit www.WarWithin.org. The Citizen Soldier Support Program is working toward providing members of the reserve components of the military and their families support within their home towns. This is an awesome way to find a provider in your area who works in your interest areas and accepts your type of insurance!
Post a Comment