| |
|
|
|
|
|
Posts Tagged ‘Veterans’ Mental Health’
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
Army officials have ordered a system-wide review of the methods used to evaluate a servicemembers’ mental health, when determining treatment needs or disability ratings. This comes in the wake of the Madigan Army Medical Center incident where hundreds of veterans’ disability cases were denied or revoked due to improper diagnoses and evaluations.
The review team seeks to create a standard by which all health care facilities will be held to when determining whether or not a servicemember suffers from PTSD or other mental health disorders. This will hopefully help provide better support to veterans’ disability claims and help servicemembers obtain the mental health treatment they need.
Mental health screenings are a critical part of keeping our soldiers and veterans healthy and fit for active duty or retired military life. The trauma of war and combat experiences can take its toll on a soldiers’ mind, leaving them to suffer from serious conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans should know that when they are in need of help to treat these disabling conditions, veterans’ disability benefits may be available.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: Veterans disability, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Monday, May 14th, 2012
A conclusion has been made in a year-long case against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) involving the delayed handling of cases where disabled veterans are seeking mental health services.
In May 2011, the original case brought against the VA by 2 veterans’ groups cited that the department was negligent in providing timely service to veterans in serious need of mental health support. They claimed this led to nearly 6,500 veteran suicides that could have been prevented with prompt care. The case was ruled in favor of the veterans’ groups, but the VA appealed the decision.
Now, a Monday, May 7 decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the previous ruling, finding that the VA’s conduct was not considered unconstitutional. The court cited that only the President or Congress would have the power to enforce changes to speed up the assessment and treatment of mentally disabled veterans.
Many veterans’ groups believe that when veterans suffer from mental health disabilities, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety, they become more prone to attempt suicide. The belief is that if these veterans could get immediate mental health evaluations and treatment, the high suicide rate among veterans would drop drastically.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: veteran suicide, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in General, US Military Legislation, VA News, Vet Groups & Networking | No Comments »
Monday, April 23rd, 2012
As more soldiers return from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has seen a drastic increase in the number of veterans seeking psychiatric care for a variety of service-related mental conditions. With the VA health system lacking in psychiatric professionals, a new plan has been put into action to hire more staff to support the growing need for mental health services.
The VA announced an initiative to hire an additional 1,900 mental health staffers to add to their current workforce of more than 20,000 employees. Of the 1,900, 1,600 will be nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, while the remaining 300 will be support staff to help the backlogged mental health care programs.
At many VA hospitals and clinics, a veteran may be waiting for weeks or months for appointments with a mental health professional. Delays between sessions can stall the treatment process or leave a veteran waiting for care as their symptoms persist and worsen.
With waiting times still exceeding the normal levels at most VA facilities, it is important that veterans seek their rightful benefits as soon as possible, which is where an attorney can help.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in General, VA News, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Monday, April 16th, 2012
White House officials announced last week that new initiatives will train more than 3 million nurses to better recognize and treat the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and other seriously disabling mental health issues in soldiers and veterans. New lessons on symptom identification, signs of mental impairment, and disability treatments will be among some of the focuses the new curriculum will emphasize.
The American Nurses Association is planning on making the new resources available to professional development courses and medical journals so others can access the information as well.
This is just one of the many programs the White House has launched under its Joining Forces campaign, which celebrates its 1-year anniversary this month. The program has so far helped thousands of veterans find jobs, return to school, and has raised awareness for veterans’ advocacy in communities across the nation.
The main resource for veterans seeking assistance with disabling conditions is still the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which provides disability benefits to those who qualify. These benefits and resources available can help a veteran stay financially and emotionally afloat, as medical recourse is sought.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: Veterans disability, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in General, Vet Groups & Networking, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Saturday, March 17th, 2012
When Gulf War veteran Sean Duvall called a suicide crisis line run by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) he never expected his mention of having a homemade gun would land him in federal court.
According to The Washington Post, during his call, he told the crisis hotline that he had a gun and when police arrived to intervene they found him in possession of a firearm made from a pipe and other materials. Duvall was admitted to a psychiatric treatment center for depression and a week later found himself facing criminal charges of manufacturing a gun and carrying a concealed weapon without a license. Duvall made a deal with the court to seek counseling in order for the charges to be dropped.
One of the ways veterans may avoid suicide issues is to seek help for mental disabilities that may be causing the problem. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety are some of the mental health issues many veterans suffer, and even physical problems, such as chronic pain or amputation can also give rise to suicide attempts.
U.S. veterans deserve access to quality medical care and support to avoid these disabling conditions that often come after service in stressful situations. When a veteran is diagnosed with a mental or physical condition that renders them disabled they can qualify for veterans’ disability benefits that can grant them access to financial support and resources through the VA.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
Tags: veteran resources, veteran suicide, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in General, Veterans' Benefits, Veterans' Disability | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
Mental health workers who work with soldiers and veterans believe those two groups run higher risks for suicide than the civilian population. They refer to their risk as “significantly greater” and stress the need to identify those in need of help as soon as possible. According to clinicians, help must include early detection of suicidal thoughts and ultimately prevention of the suicidal act itself.
Anywhere between 30,000 and 32,000 Americans take their own lives every year. This rate has remained essentially unchanged since 1950, despite many changes in the mental health field.
Approximately 1 in every 5 Americans who take their own lives is a veteran, which means 18 veterans kill themselves, on average, every day.
Active duty soldiers face a particularly lethal combination of stressors. Many find themselves with access to firearms and a toxic mix of “rage, guilt, and despair” with which to cope.
Many veterans face “survivor’s guilt,” which they often couple with anger. The veterans’ emotional responses to the “bad things” they experienced in combat creates sorrow and anguish in the veterans. The resulting distress often serves as a platform for the veterans’ path to suicide.
Even within the veteran population, there are veterans more at risk than others. Recent data reflects those veterans between 20 and 29 years of age, those veterans over 39 years of age, and female veterans of all ages present higher risks of suicide than all other groups of veterans.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Active Duty Soldiers, Veterans disability, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in General | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
The Department of Labor (DOL) is funding the Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program (IVTP), which will be managed by the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center (PVMSEC). The program helps veterans who have been in prison. Possibly more significantly, the program also helps those who are still facing criminal charges as an alternative to sentencing. The program was designed to prevent homelessness among veterans, which is a very rampant problem.
More veterans than ever are returning from combat suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Many times soldiers returning from combat and suffering from these issues find themselves in trouble with the law. The IVTP seeks to help these veterans as many find themselves homeless following their prison terms.
Tens of thousands of soldiers end up detained in State and Federal prisons; and when that happens, veterans are not given the chance to be fully diagnosed and therefore treated for conditions such as PTSD and TBI. Diagnosis and treatment may very well have prevented incarceration in the first place.
In 2004, there were approximately 140,000 veterans locked up in State and Federal prisons. Additionally,
- 46% of veterans in federal, and 15% of veterans in state prisons, are incarcerated for drug offenses;
- 61% of locked up veterans meet the psychological diagnostic requirements for substance dependence or abuse;
- Over 50% of the veterans serving time in federal prisons served in the military during wartime; and
- At least 10% of all inmates are veterans.
Ideally, there would be perfect communication between VA doctors and those doctors associated with the courts and responsible for providing medical care to prisoners. Veterans cannot be brought back from these wars and left alone to deal with their conditions, which are a direct result of their participation in these wars.
The IVTP can and will play a crucial role in many veterans’ lives. Veterans have to be treated before they get to the point of addiction and poor choices because of their mental state. Homelessness will not end in the veteran population without more proactive measures.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program, mental health treatment, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, VA healthcare system, veteran homelessness, veterans in prison, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in VA News, Veterans' Resources | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Many returning veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have anxiety issues including fears of being in public places and around big groups of people. Other veterans struggle with being wounded and still others from varying forms of anxiety. A charity called America’s VetDogs helps these veterans regain some sense of control over their lives.
Veterans from all over the U.S. come to the VetDogs campus in Smithtown, N.Y. to be matched up with a dog specifically trained to care for that veteran. Dogs trained at this facility are used to console patients at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers across the country, to include Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Additionally, two “combat stress” dogs live with psychotherapists in both Tikrit and Mosul, Iraq and two more will be sent over this month. These dogs provide emotional assistance to military personnel suffering from:
- Sleep disorders;
- Homesickness; or
- Battle-related anxieties.
The dogs’ training is specific to the veteran they are paired with. If necessary, they help with picking up dropped items, balance problems, and carrying small backpacks. Military personnel suffering from PTSD are given dogs able to sense environments, such as crowds, they may find stressful and physically act to prevent the soldier from getting too close to the situation.
Service dogs are credited with helping many patients recover at VA hospitals all over the country. These dogs have been integrated in psychotherapy sessions because of their ability to relax patients, which makes it easier for soldiers to access their emotions. The dogs physically touch the veterans when they sense them clamming up and it helps those veterans to release.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: America's VetDogs, Disabled Veterans, mental health treatment, post-traumatic stress disorder, service dogs, Veterans' Resources, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in Disabled Veterans | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
Suicide rates among military personnel have been studied more closely than ever over the last two years. The reason for the studies, unfortunately, has been because of the increase in both attempted and successful suicides among military personnel and veterans. The Marine Corps, however, just reported a significant drop in the number of Marines both attempting and completing suicides.
The U.S. Marine Corps documented their lowest monthly numbers of the year in July. For the entire month, the Corps suffered 1 suicide and 9 attempted. These numbers are considerably lower than reported in May, when the Corps documented 7 suicides and 16 attempted. 52 Marines took their own lives last year, which was the highest number of Marine suicides since 2001.
There are approximately 202,000 Marines, of which 22 have killed themselves and 102 have attempted. Nine of the Marines who had taken their own lives were combat veterans, 9 had no history of deployment, and 4 occurred in Afghanistan.
Research was critical in developing suicide prevention programs so that risk factors could be identified. The highest rate of suicides occurred in male combat veterans aged between 18 and 27. Of the Marines who have taken their own lives this year:
- 18 were white;
- 3 were black;
- 1 was Latino;
- 15 were between 17-25;
- 12 were single;
- 9 were married;
- 1 was divorced; and
- 13 involved the use of a gun.
Multiple deployments have been blamed for bringing on increased stress among troops. This has been recognized by suicide prevention programs and signs Marines are mentally struggling have been identified. Such signs include:
- Sleeplessness;
- Alcohol and drug abuse; and
- Isolating themselves from friends and family.
The Corps has launched multiple programs attempting to reduce the amount of Marines attempting suicide. These programs include psychological screening both pre- and post- deployment, and transcends all ranks. Hopefully this recent decrease in suicides is the beginning of a trend and not just a fluke. Military suicides accompany wars, but hopefully the Corps’ prevention programs are having the desired effect.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: Marine Corps, soldier suicide, suicide prevention, VA health care, VA Health Care System, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in Iraq-Afghanistan War, VA News | No Comments »
Monday, June 21st, 2010
Because so little is known about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), research is constantly being done to get to the root of the disorder and its symptoms. Researchers in Chapel Hill are looking into the possibility of zeroing in on specific symptoms as a way to treat Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffering from PTSD and anger management issues.
Researchers expected their results to follow where the data was pointing, which was that certain PTSD symptoms were connected to aggressiveness on a consistent basis. Instead, they found those soldiers suffering from anger, hostility, and aggressiveness following their deployment were more likely to be related to hyperarousal symptoms. Those symptoms include:
- Sleep problems;
- Being “on guard” all the time;
- Jumpiness;
- Irritability; and
- Difficulty concentrating.
Studying the 676 veterans participating in the study, researchers identified some features related to anger and hostility. According to their conclusions, these features increase the likeliness soldiers will develop issues adjusting to civilian life following their deployment.
Veterans suffering from hyperarousal symptoms, serving more than 12 months on deployment, experiencing combat during their deployment, and experiencing family violence prior to joining the military were all likely to be unable to control violent behavior.
More than other veterans, those veterans with hostile dispositions were more likely to suffer hyperarousal symptoms and come from a background of childhood abuse or familial mental illness. Those veterans struggling to manage their anger also suffered hyperarousal symptoms as well as other stressors.
Learning how to manage risk factors such those associated with PTSD and hyperarousal is of critical importance to both veterans and their families.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, contact LaVan & Neidenberg. You may be entitled to certain programs and benefits so contact our veterans disability rights firm today.
Tags: hyperarousal, PTSD, Veterans disability, Veterans Health Care, Veterans’ Mental Health
Posted in General, Veterans' Disability | 1 Comment »
|
| |
|
|
|
