What’s the impact of multiple deployments and repeated traumatic stressors on service members? Why are a significant number of military personnel experiencing psychological injuries following their deployments? What treatment options are available? What’s being done to help advance the field of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health?

If these questions are on your mind, consider reading the special edition of “Military Medicine.” Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) subject matter experts and others share updated research to better understand current psychological health and TBI conditions affecting the health, occupational and personal functioning of service members and veterans. Published by The Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS), the journal identifies effective screening tools, diagnostic technologies and treatments for major areas of concern like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance use disorder and TBI.

	Air Force 1st Lt. Dave Earl participates in an event at the annual Squadron Fitness Challenge at Langley Air Force Base, Va., May 24, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kayla Newman)

Thanks to modern medicine, people are living longer. But this now begs the question: how do we gracefully age with our physical and emotional health intact? In other words, how do we embrace healthy aging for the mind and body? Well, perhaps with the right approach and mindset toward physical activity, we can accomplish both.  

You may be wondering; what is healthy aging, and how do I achieve it? 

Healthy aging is simply the notion of avoiding health problems, living independently, and finding enjoyment in life as we age. Unfortunately, there’s no pill for healthy aging. However, there’s one surefire strategy that will provide you with a healthy mind and body as you age, and it’s this:

Engage in physical activity now.

Exercise is the single most important element to achieving healthy aging for the body and the mind. A practical approach to thinking about exercise as we age is to consider activities we want to participate in not only now, but also in 10 or 20 years down the road. Remember, there’s no substitute for the strength and stamina necessary to play with your children or grandchildren.

“You carry around the stress of all the troops. From your [commanding officer] to the private, they come to you. The question is: who do you go to?”    —U.S. Navy Lt. (Chaplain) Jose Bautista Rojas

Real Warriors Campaign recently launched video public service announcements (PSAs) highlighting the importance for caregivers to seek help. Whether at home or deployed, medics, nurses, physicians, chaplains and military families often cope with both their own stress and those they support. Watch and share the PSAs to encourage caregivers to reach out for support if they’re coping with stress or other psychological health concerns.

Video courtesy of Real Warriors Campaign

	U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrew Lee

Now that you’re back, it’s important that you take time to revisit your financial affairs. Your income and monthly expenses will change since you’re no longer deployed. Evaluating your financial health to make sure your obligations and needs are covered will help you prevent unwanted financial stress during this readjustment period. Consider using the following tips and tools highlighted in the Real Warriors Campaign article, “Planning for Financial Health After Deployment,” to help give you financial peace of mind as you reintegrate to life at home.

Determine financial management roles
While you were away, a spouse, parent or other responsible individual may have served as your financial overseer and managed your financial obligations. Now that you’re home, re-evaluate these roles to establish who will manage your family’s financial responsibilities moving forward.

	LifeArmor mobile app

Sure, a wrench and hammer are handy to keep around, but how about a “Gratitude Letter” or a “Perspective Change” tool? For those returning from deployment with common post-deployment issues, these interactive tools available on a new mobile application from National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2), a Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury center, can be essential resources for coping and building resilience.

Modeled after afterdeployment.org and available on iPhone, iPad and Android systems, the app provides information on 17 different topics where post-deployment issues can impact. Each topic includes an assessment, information about concerns related to the topic, videos of those who coped with an issue, and tools to help cope with psychological concerns and traumatic brain injury.

“The app features many of the issues that are common to service members and military families, including tips for families and friendships, life stress and anxiety, mild traumatic brain injury, anger, substance abuse and military sexual trauma,” said Dr. Julie Kinn, T2 psychologist and mobile applications lead.