THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS IN MEETING THE MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR NATION'S MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN

• Research has shown that psychological interventions can help prevent the long-term, chronic and devastating psychological consequences of one of the most serious consequences of war – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). ¹



• Rather than waiting for soldiers to develop advanced PTSD, psychologists are now going into the units and focusing on prevention strategies and techniques to help soldiers confront issues before they become serious.²



• Being on the front line allows psychologists to not only treat symptoms but also prevent them from recurring.  Psychologists help provide critical event debriefings after exceptionally stressful situations, such as the death of a comrade, to head off any long-term problems soldiers may incur.²



• Data show that 70 to 90 percent of service members are returned to active duty within a few days when psychologists treat them at the front.²



• Psychologists also provide stress inoculation interventions even before service members go overseas.  By preparing soldiers for trauma in advance, it has been shown to lessen their adverse reaction.²

• Psychologists help service members cope with the devastating psychological trauma associated with amputation or disfigurement.³



• Psychologists help soldiers regain a sense of confidence and ability to discuss their fears and concerns openly and honestly in order that the veteran can gain independence and lead a fulfilling and productive life. ³



• Psychologists provide a safe plaice in which patients can discuss their anxieties and concerns about their disabilities.³

• Psychologists provide training in effective coping skills for soldiers and their families. Some skills used in treating Iraq War veterans include: anxiety management, emotional grounding, anger management, and communication.⁴



• Psychologists also help veterans and their families anticipate and prepare for family challenges that may lie ahead by providing courses in conflict resolution, parenting, establishing short-term support groups for family members.⁴

1. American Psychological Association Psychology Matters.  The effects of trauma do not have to last a lifetime. Retrieved December 14, 2004, from the APA Psychology Matters Web site: http://www.psychologymatters.org/ptsd.html


2. Rabasca, L. (2000, June). More psychologists in the trenches. APA Monitor on Psychology, 31(6).


3. National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. (2004). Treating the traumatized amputee. In P. Schnurr & COL S. Cozza (Eds.), Iraq War Clinician Guide (pp. 50-54). US Department of Veterans Affairs.


4. National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. (2004). Treatment of the returning Iraq war veteran. In P. Schnurr & COL S. Cozza (Eds.), Iraq War Clinician Guide (pp. 33-35). US Department of Veterans Affairs.

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