Chris Buser, LCSW-C, BCD Clinical Director, Post-Deployment Health Reintegration Program

Transcription

1 Chris Buser, LCSW-C, BCD Clinical Director, Post-Deployment Health Reintegration Program

2 When defining who is a veteran it is often better to ask, Did you serve in the military? Basic VA Eligibility A person who served in the active military and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable may qualify for VA health care benefits. Reservists and National Guard members call to active duty (other than for training only) by a Federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty.

3 Finding a New Job Changes in Finances Finding a New Place to Live Family (Spouse, Boy/Girlfriend, Children) Enrolling in School Change in Culture Loss of Support System Understanding Veteran Benefits Physical Health Concerns Mental Health Concerns

4 Veterans who have experienced trauma &/or TBI may have difficulty with certain aspects of college life: Difficulty with concentration & organization Poor frustration tolerance Forgetfulness Slower processing speeds Visual and auditory problems Difficulties with crowds or startling noises Problems with sleep and physical pain may also distract them from their studies

5 Denial (not seeking treatment or reasonable accommodations in the classroom) Drinking, using drugs, or misusing prescription medications Outbursts of Anger Reacting to stressors as though still in a combat zone Carrying a weapon (with or without a permit) Speeding and rapid lane changes

6 Buddies (Cohesion) vs. Withdrawal Accountability vs. Control Targeted vs. Inappropriate Aggression Tactical Awareness vs. Hypervigilance Lethally Armed vs. Locked & Loaded at Home Emotional Control vs. Anger/Detachment Mission OPSEC vs. Secretiveness Individual Responsibility vs. Guilt Non-Defense (Combat) vs. Aggressive Driving Discipline & Ordering vs. Conflict

7 Education is a priority, but military service comes first (Active or Reserve/Guard Students) Veteran students face challenges similar to other adult students They don t feel colleges know the military Report problems with transferring credits Want colleges to accept more military training for credit Feel they lack information about education benefits Leaving the military is like leaving a large support system American Council on Education July 2008 Veteran Focus Group Results

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9 OEF/OIF/OND Primary Care Clinic Polytrauma & TBI Evaluation and Treatment Occupational and Speech Therapies to help with time management, studies skills, etc Audiology Optometry Physical Therapy Acupuncture Women s Health (14% of OEF/OIF Veterans are female)

10 Types of Services Provided: Residential dual diagnosis, 6 week program, at the Baltimore VA Intensive outpatient services (residential) at the Perry Point VA Outpatient PTSD services at the Baltimore, Perry Point, and CBOCS (Loch Raven, Fort Howard, Cambridge, Pocomoke, Glen Burnie). Outpatient re-adjustment services at the Baltimore, Perry Point, and CBOCS (Loch Raven, Glen Burnie) for returning combat veterans. Consultation and crisis management services for returning combat veterans Types of Therapy Offered: PTSD Assessment clinic for differential diagnosis of PTSD Evidenced based individual treatments for PTSD, including prolonged exposure therapy, cognitive processing therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy Education and therapy groups for PTSD, including in-vivo exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy Education and therapy groups for common re-adjustment difficulties, including anger management and sleep hygiene.

11 Chris Buser, LCSW-C, ext Enrollment & Eligibility: , ext Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Office Baltimore VA Medical Center Perry Point VA Medical Center VA - VA Maryland Health Care System Vet Center How to Obtain Military Records (Including DD- 214):

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