The best help for our brothers returning from Vietnam, as well as previous returned veterans of other conflicts, came from those who sought out and went into the professions needed to help, before and once PTS was finally recognized, as they understood what they and all who served in were going through. Also the many veterans support groups that sprung up all over to give individuals in a group experience the chance to discuss and gain support from others.
A grant establishes a behavioral health career development program for returning veterans.
November 16, 2011 - The Massachusetts Legislature and governor’s administration recently authorized into law a “Train Vets to Treat Vets” program for the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (MSPP) — in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services — to establish a behavioral health career development program for returning veterans.
The grant of $125,000 is an annual appropriation for the program, which includes:
Reaching out to returning military veterans to identify and support their interests in a career in behavioral health through a mentorship and educational program utilizing MSPP student veterans and faculty.
Educating MSPP student veterans to become experts in providing mental health care for military veterans and their families.
The “Train Vets to Treat Vets” program addresses the needs indentified in a January 5, 2009 report by a “Special Commission to Study and Investigate the Hidden Wounds of War in Massachusetts Service Members.” Needs identified:
Veterans experience significant barriers in accessing mental health care.
Competently trained mental health professionals are in short supply.
A newly returning veteran, who suffers from suicidal ideation related to deployment, will find the availability of appropriate evidence-based care is haphazard and spotty.
“Our partnership with the Department of Veterans Services will not only help provide much needed culturally sensitive services to veterans traumatized by their combat experience, but will also offer veterans who are dedicated to helping fellow service men and women, the skills and credentials necessary to make it a viable career and life’s work,” said Dr. Nicholas Covino, president of MSPP. read more>>>
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