|
PTSD Substance Abuse Committee The purpose of the VVA PTSD/Substance Abuse Committee is to support and advocate actively for the health care--diagnoses, clinical practices, clinical research, treatments, specialized programs, and related educational efforts--necessary to meet the needs of veterans with PTSD, substance addictions, and other debilitating psychological reactions to trauma resulting from military service. This advocacy and support also includes health care for family members of such veterans.” from Policy & Procedures Statement adopted by VVA BOD in April 2004. Because PTSD was one of the key organizing issues around which VVA was founded, the history of VVA and its PTSD/SA Committee are intimately linked together. At its beginning in the early 1980’s the Committee focused primarily on advocacy for Vet Center PTSD programs and other special in-patient VA PTSD programs, but the focus was soon broadened by the Committee’s earliest spokespersons (including Jack Smith, Steve Bentley and Harold Bryant) to include advocacy for various substance abuse recovery programs as the need and demand for these programs grew. In 2004 the Committee’s principle focus still remains on advocacy for PTSD and substance abuse issues for veterans and their families, but has again been expanded to now include all military service-connected mental health issues such as those associated with military sexual trauma, for example. A list of the current Committee members can be found on this page. What's New
Featured Reading: New England Journal
of Medicine American
Psychological Association - Journal
of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Veterans' Emerging Mental Health Crisis Coming Home - Readjusting to Civilian Life After War Two months ago, Caleb Catron lived worlds apart from the quiet rural town of Onalaska where he grew up. The 22-year-old was immersed in the bustle of Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, where he was stationed as a U.S. Army military police officer for a year. (more) Emotional Toll Can Weigh Heavily on a Soldier's Mind "Hateful." That's the word Lois Edwards uses to describe her husband's behavior when he returned home from Iraq. (more)
|
In The News New Brochures 4/1/2008 VVA Legislative Testimony 7/6/2006 Read the latest on the IOM sub- committees No Across-the-Board Review of PTSD Cases Vietnam Veterans of America Says VA Review Will Penalize PTSD Veterans VVA's Self-Help PTSD Does Not Mean You're Crazy! Get the brochure in PDF format. Study Results The results of a study entitled "Spirituality and PTSD in Vietnam Combat Veterans" can be found by clicking on the name of the study. Special Report “Never Shall One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another…” Steve Robinson, Executive Director of the National Gulf War Resource Center*, has just released an excellent report on mental health and the military in Iraq. The report includes a great deal of information that has not received very much press coverage to date. Go to the report - Hidden Toll of the Iraq War: Mental Health and the Military
|
about
vvacommunity
membershipbenefitsgov't
affairs public
relations events
publicationsformsmarketplace
vva
committees & task forces | avva | household
goods donation | veterans support foundation | links
of interest | sponsors
membership brochure | join vva | renew your membership | locate your local chapter | membership notes update | membership services
vva publications | current year press releases | public service announcements | logos | media request sign-up
Read
or Print Complete Testimony 
