Unit 4 Discussion Veterans Issues

Reading Chapter 8: “Veteran’s Issues” about the many “invisible wounds” I have decided to focus on a most common ailment known as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Posttraumatic stress disorder covers a large scope of subjects not only in the military but lots of different situations. It is classified as people who have been severely traumatized at some point in their lives. Currently they cannot function effectively on a day to day basis because they have not dealt with the ramifications of the trauma and it is something that needs to be addressed and resolved. As it states in our textbook on Page 154, “The cause is exposure to a situation perceived to be threatening to oneself or one’s loved ones” (Kanel, 2014). Being a “crisis intervention worker”, it is my responsibility to be fully aware of the “invisible wounds”. Not being aware may cause severe damage mentally to the client. Getting into a field that counsels Veterans, it is my duty to be fully informed regarding all situations that may apply to that specific demographic of clients. Helping them resolve any and all crisis they might be dealing with is my sole responsibility. In this field of study, continuing education in all aspects is relevant and you need to keep up to date with the newly found diagnosis’ of clients, since it evolves all the time. Not only do these veterans need to adapt to their absence from society while deployed, but must also attempt to reconnect with family and other social support networks (McDevitt-Murphy, 2011).

Having a parent suffer any type of mental health issue is hard to work through without the proper assistance. Some families might experience emotional hardships or even behavioral difficulties in children in this type of situation. Deployments and reintegration upon post deployment is something that is difficult amongst the family. With spouses, they think of possible things that can happen with the spouse when they are deployed. They are lonely and sad during deployment. The children may have developmental issues, emotional issues with the deployment of a parent. In some situations, families of veterans might also endure a higher percentage of domestic violence as well as monetary issues.

There are several intervention strategies that are available to veterans who may be in need of assistance. The Veteran’s Administration (“VA”) is the main facility utilized to assist the veterans. Their facilities are so full of veterans in need that it may take months for an appointment. The VA has seen such an increase in the areas of counseling, advocacy, family psychology education even case management. This strategy is effective due to the various areas of professional assistance all under one roof.

I feel the intervention strategy called EDMR would not be successful in helping veterans because. This strategy is just being introduced so the effectiveness is still a work in progress. It is currently being utilized with sexual assault victims as well as other victims that may have had a traumatic based disorder. The strategy is designed to bring bad feelings and fears back to the victims and then they need to confront those feelings in order to make them feel like they are back in control now.

Kanel, K. (01/2014). A Guide to Crisis Intervention. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from https://kaplan.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781305480964/