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Friday, January 21, 2022
The Spokesman-Review
VETERANS CHRONICLE
Afghanistan: Resources available for PTSD By Adam Stump DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
This is the last in a four-part series about Afghanistan veterans and how they can get help through VA. The last part of this series focuses on resources available for PTSD. While this series focused on Afghanistan veterans, options apply to all veterans. There are several effective options to treat PTSD. According to Dr. Sonya Norman, director of the National Center for PTSD Consultation Program, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Choosing a treatment from the options that we know work well should take into account your doctor’s recommendations and your preferences. Knowing the different options allows a veteran to choose a treatment that is the best fit for them. Active duty and veterans should not be ashamed of getting the help they need, said Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón “CZ” Colón-López. An Afghanistan veteran himself who battled PTSD, Colón-López said seeking mental health help should be routine. “We don’t think twice about putting weapon systems in maintenance because we need them,” Colón-López said. “We run quality control checks on everything. But the one decisive advantage we have as a U.S. military is the human weapon system. This is no different, so we need to make sure we take care of everything that we can right now as we draw down in Afghanistan. This is our depot maintenance period.”
PTSD Decision Aid
One of the easiest methods veterans can use to find options is the PTSD Decision Aid at www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/ decisionaid/. Veterans can read about the treatments that work or watch videos explaining how they work. Veterans can build a chart to compare treatments and get a personalized summary.
PTSD Program Locator
VA medical centers use a recovery-based model to treat PTSD, Norman said. Veterans with PTSD can get treatment at nearly 200 specialized programs throughout the country. Veterans can get PTSD treatment at any VA medical center and at some large Community Based Outpatient Clinics. This locator can be found at www.va.gov/directory/guide/ PTSD.asp. Each PTSD program offers education, evaluation and treatment. Program services include: • One-to-one mental health assessment • Medications • Groups for veterans of specific conflicts or who experienced specific traumas; groups targeting specific concerns, like anger or stress management
Vet Centers
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers. They provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling. Eligible veterans, service members – including National Guard and Reserve components – and their families can use the services. Vet Center staff offers readjustment counseling to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Staff offer individual, group, marriage and family counseling in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. Call the Vet Center Call Center confidentially 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (877) 9278387. Vet Center locations can be found at www.va.gov/findlocations/?facilityType=vet_ center. Spokane Vet Center, located at 13109 Mirabeau Parkway. in Spokane Valley, serves Spokane and North Idaho veterans, and can be reached at (509) 444-8387.
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Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a range of services.
Read the other parts in the series
Available online at blogs.va.gov/VAntage/category/afghanistan-series/ Part 1: Afghanistan: How veterans can reconcile service Part 2: Afghanistan: How veterans can learn from Vietnam veterans Part 3: Afghanistan: How spouses, caregivers can support veterans with PTSD
About Face
Veterans, family members and clinicians share their experiences with PTSD and PTSD treatment. Watch the videos at www. ptsd.va.gov/apps/aboutface/.
PTSD Coach
The PTSD Coach app can help veterans learn about and manage symptoms that often occur after trauma. The app, available at www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/ mobile/ptsdcoach_app.asp, has features that include: • Reliable information on PTSD and treatments that work • Tools for screening and tracking symptoms • Convenient, easy-to-use tools to help handle stress symptoms
• Direct links to support and help • Available 24/7 Other useful self-help mobile apps can be found at www.ptsd. va.gov/appvid/mobile/index. asp, including: • Mindfulness Coach teaches mindfulness meditation. • AIMS for Anger Management helps veterans manage anger and irritability. • PTSD Family Coach provides support for concerned family members of those with PTSD. • VetChange helps users with PTSD build skills to reduce problem drinking.
#VetResources
There’s
a
host
of
other
resources available at blogs. va.gov/VAntage/category/vetsexperience/vetresources/. #VetResources is a weekly newsletter of VA and non-VA resources sent every Wednesday night to veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. #VetResources focuses on tangible resources that VA’s customers can use immediately or for keeping aware of important updates. Email sign up is at https://www.va.gov/vetresources/. Does this sound like someone you know? Get local help and find local resources in the “How Can I Get Help?” section on page 5 of this publication.
