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January 08, 2009
Programs launch, expand mental-health services for returning troops, veterans.
The San Diego Union-Tribune (1/5) reports that, across the U.S., "grass-roots groups and major organizations are launching or expanding mental-health services for returning combat troops, new veterans, and their families," in hopes that "free or low-cost counseling, mentoring, and other forms of outreach will fill in gaps left by the military and Department of Veterans Affairs."
The efforts aim "to prevent combat stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injuries from causing long-term depression, alcoholism, homelessness, criminal activity, and marital or parenting problems."
One such program is run by the nonprofit Give an Hour. "In November, four of the nation's largest mental-health groups," including the American Psychiatric Association, "signed on to the program." The organization "recruits licensed mental-health providers to offer at least an hour of free counseling each week to military personnel, veterans, and their family members who are experiencing the psychological effects of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq."
Related Links:
- "Raising an army of counselors," Rick Rogers, San Diego Union-Tribune, January 2, 2009.
Posted by admin at January 8, 2009 11:24 AM