New York, New York - Congressman Charles B. Rangel praised the new Department of Veterans Affairs AboutFace initiative, which is focused on helping Veterans recognize PTSD symptoms and motivating them to seek treatment.

“This initiative profoundly shows veterans who may be struggling with PTSD that what they are facing is normal, many people are dealing with the same issues, and that help is available,” Rangel said. “It is my sincere belief and hope that AboutFace can help returning soldiers and veterans." 

The AboutFace campaign is made up of videos of veterans who suffer from PTSD explaining what it is like for them. These veterans served during all different times and places, from the Korean War to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, and from Asia to Africa to Central America. There are eight groups of videos: Who I Am, How I Knew I Had PTSD, How PTSD Affects The People You Love, Why I Didn’t Ask For Help Right Away, When I Knew I Needed Help, What Treatment Was Like For Me, How Treatment Helps Me, and My Advice To You. 

“One of the gentlemen that was featured, who served in Vietnam, said something I hope all veterans know,” Rangel said. “He said that ‘[Help] is out there… in your community, it’s at the VA’s, it’s at the vet centers…There’s plenty of help offered and please go get it. It’s going to end up as the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself, for your family and for your friends.’

Rangel added: “Congress needs to ensure that what this veteran said is always true. We need to make sure that the extra demand added onto the system by returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is duly met. Veterans risked their lives for their country. They deserve support once they get home.” 

The launch of the initiative followsVA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki's announcement that his Department would add approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce to help meet the increased demand for mental health services.  The additional staff would include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.    

Those interested in the AboutFace campaign should go to http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/about_face.html to learn about posttraumatic stress disorder from Veterans, hear their stories, and find out how treatment turned their lives around. AboutFace is only one small part of the Department of Veteran Affairs’ overall mental health program. Last year, the Department of Veterans Affairs provided mental health services to 1.3 million veterans nationwide.