WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH

As veterans of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq return stateside, we are becoming more aware of the mental health implications of serving in the armed forces.  These men and women, and all veterans, and their families may need special support to obtain the mental health services they need.  Combat veterans are often concerned with the stigma associated with mental disorders and barriers to care (* see article under Scholarly Journal articles).

Resources:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (WUMH)

President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors - The commission released its report in July 2007 on how to best address the health care needs of those fighting the Global War on Terror.  Former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.), a disabled veteran of World War II, and University of Miami President and former HHS Secretary Donna Shalala were co-chairs of the commission and interviewed dozens of veterans, their families, and health care providers across the country.  The report consists of six recommendations for improving health services for veterans when they return home.

Operation Healthy Reunions (program of Mental Health America; "provides education and helps to bust the stigma of mental health issues among soldiers, their families, and medical staff to ensure that a greater number of military families receive the prompt and high-quality care they deserve.")

Veterans Resource Center (NAMI's online portal to mental health resources for America's veterans, active duty service members, and their families.)

NEW  Reducing Stigma for American Military Personnel Teleconference Archive (from SAMHSA's Resource Center to Address Discrimination & Stigma Associated with Mental Illness (ADS Center)

NEW United States Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

NEW Center for Women Veterans


Scholarly Reports and Journal articles:
Serious Psychological Distress and Substance Use Disorder among Veterans (Report from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health)

Combat Duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mental Health Problems, and Barriers to Care (July 2004 New England Journal of Medicine article)

Mental Health Problems, Use of Mental Health Services, and Attrition From Military Service After Returning From Deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan  (March 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association)


Recent headlines:
Too Few Clinicians Complicate Care in VA, Military Systems (Psychiatric News November 2, 2007)

VA’s Suicide Hot Line Begins Operations (July 30, 2007; VA press release). To ensure veterans with emotional crises have round-the-clock access to trained professionals, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun operation of a national suicide prevention hot line for veterans at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

U.S. Plans to Hire 1,000 Mental Health Workers for War Vets (July 17, 2007; Associated Press). The department plans to add mental health services at more than 100 VA medical centers, open 23 new veteran centers and begin a suicide-prevention hotline for veterans. Veterans in rural areas will have more access to “telemental health,” where they can talk to a psychiatrist via a video link on their home computer.