Returning troops encouraged to seek mental health treatment

Returning troops encouraged to seek mental health treatment


By Senitra Horbrook, Staff Writer
(Created: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 11:06 AM CDT)

Post traumatic stress disorder often afflicts troops returning from war. The United States Army last year had the highest rate of suicide in 30 years, according to published reports.

That’s why, with the help of a half-million dollar grant, the Mental Health America of Greater Dallas has started a free program to help troops returning from Iraq or Afghanistan find appropriate mental health care.

“The main goal is to help the veterans and service members to relieve the stress issues related to post traumatic stress disorder,” said Walter Norris, one of two coordinators of “Operation Healthy Reunions.”

Mental Health America of Greater Dallas and the American Red Cross received a grant in the amount of $553,260 to support mental health care and case management for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and family members. Assistance paying for health services over a two-year period will be provided through the Texas Resources for Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment Fund (TRIAD) of The Dallas Foundation.

“We don’t want to be like Vietnam. Many of them had PTSD and nothing was done,” Norris said.
go here for more
http://www.scntx.com/articles/2008/06/25/carrollton_leader/news/85.txt