An Opportunity to Prevent a National Tragedy

Special to Veterans Advantage

Large numbers of our military personnel are returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan finding that they must cope with a wide range of psychological difficulties. Many are struggling with severe physical injuries or traumatic brain injuries - referred to as TBIs. We have an opportunity to prevent a national tragedy and we have the obligation and the resources to do so.

Barbara V. Romberg, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder and president of Give an Hour

Fortunately, we are more capable of responding to this potential tragedy than ever before. We have more knowledge about the psychological impact of war than any prior generation has ever had. We know that at least 12% of the returning soldiers will come back from Iraq with a serious mental disorder. A recent report issued by the Rand Corporation found that 300,000 of our returning troops indicated that they suffer from severe depression or Post Traumatic Stress. In addition, 320,000 have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. We also know that family members are severely affected by a soldier’s experience of trauma. Indeed, we now refer to "secondary trauma" as a significant mental health consequence of war. We know that children who grow up in families where Post Traumatic Stress is not treated often become severely impaired themselves. Luckily, we also know that early treatment of mental health symptoms is the best way to prevent long-term consequences.

Our military is clearly trying to stay in front of this issue. Studies conducted by the military community provide information that was not available during prior wars. In addition, the military is making an unprecedented attempt to encourage personnel to seek treatment. Unfortunately, limited resources are available to provide the needed mental health care, and, while the inevitable budget debates are important and necessary for future policies, they will not help the soldier disabled today by his or her psychological demons or physical injuries.

The media is full of accounts of military communities experiencing mental health crises. An article posted on July 4th on VeteransToday.com discusses the ongoing shortage of mental health professionals at Ft. Drum in New York. While this is reason for concern, it is also an opportunity to harness available resources to assist those who serve our country.

Indeed, the conflict in Iraq gives us all the opportunity to reach out to those in need to ensure that they can continue to function as productive members of our society. Some of us have specific skills that can and should be tapped. There are over 400,000 mental health professionals in the U.S. We represent a tremendous resource. As mental health professionals, we now have the opportunity, through the volunteer network established by the nonprofit organization Give an Hour, to respond to this clear and obvious need. As we continue to build our national network, our efforts will provide much needed assistance to the military’s efforts to care for their own.

Give an Hour is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop a national network of volunteers capable of responding to both acute and chronic conditions that arise in our society. We are currently establishing a national network of mental health professionals in order to reach out to the U.S. troops and families affected by the current military conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Thus far, over 1800 professionals from the mental health community have registered to participate in this critical effort. These mental health professionals will give an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families.

Over the past few months, we have started to match members of the military community in need with members of our network. Indeed, we are now hearing from military personnel and their families on a regular basis. Many of these men and women share their stories and express their gratitude. They are so thankful that members of the mental health community have stepped up to join this effort. Those individuals who receive services from the Give an Hour network will be given the opportunity to give back to their own communities.

We are asking all mental health professionals to join in this critical effort. If you are currently licensed, please visit our Web site www.giveanhour.org to sign up for our national network and to learn more about our organization. We also welcome volunteers who want to join us in developing and implementing this project. The need is great but there is much that we can and will do to provide for the deserving men, women and families in our military community.

Barbara V. Romberg, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder and president of Give an Hour. Give an Hour is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation.