danausmc
06-22-2006, 07:28 PM
Welcome to the Mental Health Self-Assessment Program
Message for 6/20/2006
HAVE YOU HEARD?
The stress of overseas deployment and combat can be a breeding ground for mental health problems, but a negative stigma often keeps military men and women from getting professional help. Now, there's a new way troops can seek help anonymously. The Pentagon has launched a new Web site at https://www.militarymentalhealth.org that allows members of the military and their spouses to screen themselves for mental illness — everything from post traumatic stress syndrome to bipolar disorder. Dr. Stephen Holliday, chief of psychology for the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio says many of the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are stressed at home and abroad. "Since we're using so many more National Guard and Reserve units, you have the added stress of disrupting job and family, having to relocate. These are folks who may not be used to having a deployment overseas.” Several thousand people have already logged on to the new Web site and answered questions about recent behavior and mood swings. If the responses indicate trouble, the Web site suggests options for seeking help by providing a private, low-key way to check out concerns. The idea is that more people may get the help they need. "I think it's a great idea," Holliday said. "These are treatable disorders and the earlier we can start treating them, the better chance we have of helping someone back to health."
Kevin Secor
Veterans Service Organizations Liaison
Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Washington, DC
202-273-4836
Message for 6/20/2006
HAVE YOU HEARD?
The stress of overseas deployment and combat can be a breeding ground for mental health problems, but a negative stigma often keeps military men and women from getting professional help. Now, there's a new way troops can seek help anonymously. The Pentagon has launched a new Web site at https://www.militarymentalhealth.org that allows members of the military and their spouses to screen themselves for mental illness — everything from post traumatic stress syndrome to bipolar disorder. Dr. Stephen Holliday, chief of psychology for the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio says many of the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are stressed at home and abroad. "Since we're using so many more National Guard and Reserve units, you have the added stress of disrupting job and family, having to relocate. These are folks who may not be used to having a deployment overseas.” Several thousand people have already logged on to the new Web site and answered questions about recent behavior and mood swings. If the responses indicate trouble, the Web site suggests options for seeking help by providing a private, low-key way to check out concerns. The idea is that more people may get the help they need. "I think it's a great idea," Holliday said. "These are treatable disorders and the earlier we can start treating them, the better chance we have of helping someone back to health."
Kevin Secor
Veterans Service Organizations Liaison
Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Washington, DC
202-273-4836