Vet Centers Step Up Readjustment Counseling For Soldiers

Vet Centers Step Up Readjustment Counseling For Soldiers

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14555349/detail.html

Outreach Program Mandates Mental Health Screening

POSTED: 6:53 pm EST November 9, 2007
UPDATED: 8:12 am EST November 10, 2007

BOSTON --

Multiple deployments and high exposure to active combat have resulted in more and more soldiers
returning from the war with emotional scars. But many don't seek help for fear of being stigmatized.

A new program in New England is finding success in reaching those soldiers.

An outreach program developed by the National Guard, first in New Hampshire and now in Massachusetts,
mandates one-on-one mental health screening when the soldiers first return.

Counselors from community veterans centers who specialize in readjustment counseling conduct the
interviews at the Guard bases.

"Of the 4,000 soldiers we interviewed, almost 800 have been referred to a vet center," said Tom
Hannon, director of the Boston Veterans Center. "Sixty-five percent have asked for a follow-up.”

In Massachusetts, the outreach program lasts one day. The counselors do a another check 30 days later.

The New Hampshire National Guard has gone a few steps further. Its reverse deployment program
is conducted over three days. Then the counselors revisit the soldiers 30, 60 and 90 days out.

"For us to think they're grasping all of the information we give them during those three days
just can't happen," said Command Sgt. Major Grotto of the New Hampshire National Guard.
"So the 30-,60-,90-day re-checks reinforce what we told them."

The programs cover more than mental health. Soldiers are briefed on health benefits, and they
are enrolled in the VA Health Care system. Family counseling is also available.

"We all know there are a lot of problems with marriages as a result of deploying soldiers to war.
That's a fact," said Grotto.

Hannon said the faster soldiers deal with readjustment issues, the less likely they will develop
post-traumatic stress disorder, which can be debilitating.

"Everybody has to readjust. The magic of the program is all these soldiers have to be interviewed.
So there is no stigma,” Hannon said.

Once the soldiers are back in the community, vet centers can serve as a lifelong support system.

"If you a war vet, you are entitled to vet center services," said Hannon.

"There are no means tests, no cost. We say you've prepaid by your combat service."