Guiding Vets and Active Military to Supportive ServicesJoe Qualls, US Army Veteran/OIF3

Kendra Brandstein, PH.D., MPH, MSW

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Guiding Veterans to Supportive Services

Kendra Brandstein, PH.D., MPH, MSWJoe Qualls, US Army Veteran/OIF3

Background

• 2.2 million have served in Iraq & Afghanistan

• 50% percent of eligible vets report having mental health problems

• Family members are dealing w/ deployment related issues

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The IssueVeterans and mental health

services

Approximately 23 veterans a day take their lives.

One active duty service member commits suicide a day. That is 8,395 of our heroes.

Of the veteran’s eligible for services approximately only 51% use the eligible services and benefits.

Mental Health Diagnosis Data

High incidence of the following in our 625,384 Eligible OEF/OIF Veterans at the VA:•PTSD•Depressive and neurotic disorders•Affective Psychoses•Substance abuse•Suicide

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The Affects of Mental Health• The challenges are enormous and the

consequences of non-performance are significant. – Reported psychological symptoms:

• 38% of Soldiers• 31% of Marines • 49% National Guard

– Furthermore, psychological concerns are significantly higher among those with repeated deployments, a rapidly growing cohort.

– These Figures only include self reported. Many more undiagnosed and untreated!

(Report of the DoD Task Force on Mental Hlth June 2007)

Our Purpose

Learn about mental and behavioral health Recognize signs and symptoms

Identify local resource

The Issue

• One suicide a day for the past year

• 23 suicides a day (national)

Experience 2007 2012Death of unit member 48.6% 73.4%Shooting at enemy 29.6% 78.5%IED exploded near them 32.8% 62.4%Responsible for death of 8.3% 48.4% combatant

Military Culture 101

• The military is a distinct sub-culture in the United States with its own:

•Rituals•Traditions•Oaths and Pledges•Hierarchy

Military 101

• Branches–Air Force–Army–Coast

Guard–Marines–Navy

• Status–Active

Duty–Nat. Guard–Reserve–Retired–Veteran

• Core Values

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

What is PTSD?

• Anxiety disorder that changes the body's response to stress

• Can occur after a traumatic event

• Psychological, genetic, physical, and social factors are involved

• The cause is unknown

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Events that lead to PTSD

• Multi-casualty incidents – (Suicide Bombers, VB/IEDs,

ambushes)• Aftermath of battle• Handling human remains • Witnessed or committed

atrocities (Societal Constructs)• Feeling/being helpless to defend

or counter-attack• Moral Injury

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

• Re-experiencing the traumatic event• Avoiding reminders of the trauma• Increased anxiety and emotional

arousal• Nightmares• Numbing• Isolation

Treatment of PTSD• Treatments

include:– Cognitive

therapy– Exposure

therapy– EMDR– Medication– Group

therapy– Family

therapy

• Treatment lasts 3-6 months

• If multiple disorders can last up to one year

Barriers to Care• 1 out of 5 people say

they might not get help because of what other people might think

• 1 out of 3 people say they would not want anyone else to know they were in therapy

• VA System• Insurance• Military Culture

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Resources for PTSD Help

• http://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp• http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/whe

re-to-get-help.asp

Traumatic Brain Injury

What is TBI?• Traumatic

Brain Injury (TBI) is a complex injury with a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities.

• Does not heal like other injuries. Recovery is a functional recovery, based on mechanisms that remain uncertain.

US Department of Veterans Affairs

What is TBI?

• Individuals with severe injuries can be left in long-term unresponsive states.

• Change in brain

function can have a dramatic impact on family, job, social and community interaction.

Classifications of TBI Symptoms

Mild • Loss of

consciousness and/or confusion and disorientation is shorter than 30 minutes

• MRI and CAT scans normal

• Headache, difficulty thinking, memory problems, attention deficits, mood swings and frustration

Severe• Loss of

consciousness for more than 30 minutes

• Memory loss after the injury or penetrating skull injury longer than 24 hours.

• Limited function of arms or legs, abnormal speech or language, loss of thinking ability or emotional problems

American Speech-Language Hearing Association

Treatment for TBI• Imaging tests• Rehabilitation• Making sure enough oxygen

is going to the brain• Little can be done to reverse

the trauma to the brain.• Require immediate medical

attention (unlikely)

Resources for TBI Help

• http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/

• www.facebook.com/cdcheadsup– This website focuses on sharing

brain injuries with others.

How are PTSD and TBI Alike?

• The affects of PTSD and TBI are very similar – Increased anxiety and

emotional arousal– Difficulty sleeping

• TBI doubles the risk of a solider experiencing PTSD.

• There is no cure for PTSD or TBI, but TREATMENT is a MUST

Depression In the Military

What is Depression?

• Medical condition that affects physical and emotional health

• Can be a result of biological or cognitive factors– Result of substance misuse– Other physical and psychological issues– Combat experience– Trauma

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Signs and Symptoms

• Experiencing the following:

– Sadness, restlessness

– Lack of interest, energy

– Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping

– Extreme fluctuations in appetite

– Weight gain/loss

– Problems concentrating, remembering or making decisions

– Having thoughts of death or hurting oneself

What to do

• Help guide them towards seeking treatment

• Provide Support• Take care of themselves

• Can include:– Medication– Psychotherapy– Combination of medication and

therapy

Resources

• DoD at http://www.militarymentalhealth.org or telephone 877-877-3647.

• Department of Veterans Affairs at http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/depression.asp

• Military Pathways at http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/programs/military/.

Self-medicating alcohol and drug use

What is Self-medication?

• Drugs or alcohol as treatment for disorders/traumas that may otherwise be treated by established medical methods

• Temporary relief from issues but results in further development of the underlying problem

US Department of Veterans Affairs

What can you do?

• Educate yourself about the various mental health disorders

• Listen• Understand

• Encourage those affected to seek help

• Be Supportive!

• Local Community Clinics• Veterans Village of San Diego• Vet Center (specifically for

combat vets with MST and PTSD ONLY)– Locations

• Chula Vista• Liberty Station/Point Loma• San Marcos

• 211 Information Line• VA

Resources

References • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

– http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/TBI.htm• County of SD HHS: Overview of Services for Military, Veterans, and

Families – http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/bhs/documents/VetsServ.

pdf• Global Security

– http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/san_diego.htm• Report of the Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Hlth June

2007– http://www.health.mil/dhb/mhtf/MHTF-Report-Final.pdf

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs– http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/communityproviders/docs/VA_Suici

de_RMT.pdf– http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/index.asp– http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/PTSD.asp– http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/mentalhealth/featurearticle_mar.as

p– http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/depression.asp– http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substanceabuse.asp– VA Forum:

http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/forum/may11/may11-2.cfm#.UUdO1BdaxLc

Contact Information

Kendra Brandstein619 862-6601 and brandstein.kendra@scrippshealth.org

Joe Quallsjoeandkami@gmail.com