Monthly Archives: August 2012

Obama ordering VA to add staff, see suicidal vets within 24 hours

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Team VCS

From Stars and Stripes By Megan McClosky WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama signed an executive order Friday directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand mental health services and suicide prevention efforts. The president will make the announcement today in … Continue reading →

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An Effort Aims to Use Biomarkers to Pinpoint P.T.S.D.

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Team VCS

  From New York Times.com By JAMES DAO   Is post-traumatic stress disorder underdiagnosed or overdiagnosed? Many veterans advocates and mental health providers say it is underdiagnosed, and severely so. They assert that troops often try to mask the symptoms because … Continue reading →

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Marine Corps remains focused on preventing suicides, commandant says

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Team VCS

From Stars and Stripes In spite of all the suicide-prevention programs in place, military leaders expect 2012 to be another “tough year” as the trend of suicides in the military looks bleak, Reuters quoted Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos. … Continue reading →

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Lonely Men on Campus: Student Veterans Struggle to Fit In

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Team VCS

From the Atlantic Wire by Alex Horton Josh Martell doesn’t look like the popular kid anymore. His thick neck protrudes from a muscular body that once led the Preble Hornets of Green Bay to consecutive all-conference football titles. Tattoos now … Continue reading →

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Is stigma against servicemembers hindering hiring?

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Team VCS

From Stars and Stripes By MARK NEWMAN With all the ribbons, flags and bumper stickers, Americans may think their service members are being treated with respect. But Iowa Workforce Development’s IowaWorks warns there is an area where our nation is falling … Continue reading →

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Study of Marine suicides getting under way

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Team VCS

From nctimes.com By Mark Walker   With active-duty Marines taking their own lives at a near-record pace this year, officials are launching a long-planned study of what troops who have committed suicide were doing in the days leading up to … Continue reading →

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Three active servicemembers head to London Paralympic Games

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Team VCS

  Stars and Stripes Published: August 23, 2012 RELATED Soldier who lost leg blazes ‘legendary trail’ as competitive marksman Navy Lt. Brad Snyder competes at a meet sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colo., in February of … Continue reading →

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Fighting military suicides with peer counseling

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Team VCS

(CBS News) The Pentagon granted a six-month extension Wednesday to a pilot call-in program for American military personnel considering suicide. The suicide rate among both active-duty troops and reservists is alarming, and it’s increased dramatically this year. One effort to … Continue reading →

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Life Gets Better Once You Get Help

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Team VCS

VCS General Counsel Thomas Bandzul sharing his story to encourage veterans to get help. Learn more about Life gets better,at Make the Connection http://maketheconnection.net/stories/story.aspx?story_id=212

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New mobile app helps patients with PTSD through prolonged exposure

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Team VCS

The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have released PE (for prolonged exposure) Coach, a smartphone mobile application for use with post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. Both departments use prolonged exposure therapy as an effective treatment for PTSD. PE Coach is … Continue reading →

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