Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center goes on the Offensive to Raise TBI Awareness

Filed under Resources by on December 10, 2010 at 2:22 pm {no comments}

By: Jim Wenzel, WTC Stratcom

Public service announcements, or PSAs, are informative and easily remembered clips of audio or video intended to raise general awareness of a current or pressing issue. The collective public awareness of key issues through well-executed PSAs has guided, and continues to guide, our generation.  For example, with the timeless counsel of both Smokey the Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog I will forever know in my mind that “only I can prevent forest fires” and “take a bite outta crime”.

The danger of a nearby explosion or blow to the head causing an undetected mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a very real concern of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE). The Defense and Veteran’s Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), as part of DCoE, has launched a series of mTBI PSAs to heighten awareness of common brain injury symptoms, such as:

TBI is an invisible injury and may be difficult to detect unless Soldiers are aware of the symptoms and come forward to be treated. Recognizing these symptoms and breaking down the stigma of asking for help are two of the major efforts to combat mTBIs.

Be sure to visit www.dvbic.org for more TBI related information and resources.

Call-to-Action–Get Smart on the inTransition Program

Filed under Resources, Warrior Transition Command, WTU/WTB by on August 12, 2010 at 4:25 pm {no comments}
By BG Gary Cheek, WTC Commander

inTransition offers coaching services to WTs who receive behavioral health care and are about to transition between health providers.

Transition between providers can be a confusing time for any patient.  It calls on us to get smart on the tools provided by the military so we can better serve injured Soldiers as they start taking their next step in the treatment process.

With this challenge in mind, I came across a relatively new program called inTransition. A program headed by the Defense Center of Excellence (DCoE) and Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA), inTransition offers coaching services to Warriors in Transition (WTs) who are receiving behavioral health care treatment and who are about to transition between providers.

inTransition is staffed by certified behavioral health providers and offers services 24 hours a day and 365 days a year to those who voluntarily seek their help. Whether it is learning about the resources available in a new location or a few words of encouragement during a challenging time, inTransition is available to all WTs and their Families.

From my perspective, everyone needs a coach and when it comes to behavioral health care, mixed with a change in providers, it becomes even more important.  Because we all understand that these changes often lead to bumps in the road, I encourage providers to learn about this program and WTs to take advantage of their services.

To make it a little easier, inTransition is offering an introductory webinar on August 19th at 2:30 p.m. so all military mental health providers can learn more about the program. To register, follow the directions on the DCoE website: http://www.dcoe.health.mil/DCoENews/inTransitiontoHostWebinarAug19.aspx .

Getting smart makes us stronger, and now you can do it from your own computer screen.

Checkout DCoE’s Next Monthly Webinar: “Reintegration: Adjusting to Life at Home After Deployment”

Filed under Behavioral Health, DoD, Resources by on July 21, 2010 at 1:59 pm {one comment}

By Alan Morales, WTC Stratcom

One of the major obstacles Soldiers and Veterans face upon return from combat are those related to psychological health and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Due to the overwhelming need to address these challenges, the Department of Defense stood-up the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) in 2007. As an organization determined to improve the way psychological health and TBI are treated, DCoE has made strides to ensure that America’s service members and Veterans have access to the information necessary to start taking steps towards effectively dealing with these challenges.

One of the many ways DCoE is educating individuals is through its monthly webinar series aimed to provide information and facilitate discussion on a variety of topics related to psychological health and TBI. This Thursday, July 22nd at 1300-1430 EST, DCoE plans to present its next webinar entitled: “Reintegration: Adjusting to Life at Home After Deployment.” With discussions led by medical subject matter experts, the webinar plans to unravel many of the challenges service members face during the reintegration process. These challenges include, but are not limited to:

  • Readjusting to Family life
  • Going back to work
  • Coping with combat related stress and injury

This webinar will also feature personal accounts of deployment to Afghanistan, bringing a closer look to readjustment through the words of those who have travelled down the road of reintegration. In addition, DCoE has selected various types of resources to compliment this week’s webinar. To take a look at these resources, click this link: http://www.dcoe.health.mil/Training/MonthlyWebinars.aspx.

The webinar is planned to be very insightful and can easily be viewed from your computer screen at home. If you have a moment to check it out, please share your thoughts with the AW2 Blog so you can continue to support AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Families by sharing with them what you learned.

To register for the webinar, to be added to the distribution list, or for more information, e-mail your contact information to DCoE.MonthlyWebinar@tma.osd.mil

Participate in DCoE’s Webinar Addressing Trauma, Grief, and Loss in Military Children

Filed under Behavioral Health, DoD by on May 19, 2010 at 5:04 pm {no comments}

By Dr. Lolita O’Donnell, Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health (PH) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Explaining to a child that their parent has changed while deployed, is difficult—even for professionals. DCoE’s May Monthly Webinar will explore strategies to confront issues with children facing these difficult situations. A successful tactic that we will highlight is our work with the Sesame Workshop.

The webinar will be on May 27, 2010, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EST, and all servicemembers, Family members, government employees, health care providers, subject matter experts, and anyone interested in this topic are encouraged to join.

To register for this event or for more information please email: DCoE.MonthlyWebinar@tma.osd.mil.

DCoE’s Monthly Webinars provide information and facilitate discussion on a variety of topics related to PH and TBI. Each month features a different topic with presentations by subject matter experts followed by an interactive discussion period. Resources and reference materials related to the topic are provided each month and are available online. All speakers’ presentations are archived on the Monthly Webinar section of the DCoE website.

Participate in DCoE’s Webinar on Sports, the Military, and Recurrent Concussion

Filed under Behavioral Health, DoD by on March 19, 2010 at 9:00 am {no comments}

By Dr. Lolita O’Donnell, Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health (PH) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

For many Americans, sports players and servicemembers are two of this nation’s most iconic images. On Thursday, March 25, from 1-3 p.m. EST, these two topics will be brought together during the Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health (PH) and Traumatic Brain Injury’s (TBI) webinar “Sports, the Military and Recurrent Concussion.”

An overview of the current state of sports-related concussions including emerging science of recurrent concussion will be discussed, along with collaborations between the sports and military communities to change the clinical guidelines and culture surrounding these injuries. Speakers will include CDR Scott Pyne, Navy Sports Medicine Leader from the Office of the Medical Inspector General and COL Michael S. Jaffee, National Director of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center.

All servicemembers, Family members, government employees, health care providers, subject matter experts, and anyone interested in this topic are encouraged to join.

To register for this event or for more information please email: DCoE.MonthlyWebinar@tma.osd.mil.

Continued Healing and Recovery from Brain Injuries

Filed under Behavioral Health, DoD, Resources by on March 2, 2010 at 9:48 pm {2 comments}

By COL Jim Rice, AW2 Director

DCoE is working to tear down the stigma that still deters some from seeking treatment for problems such as PTSD and TBI with their Real Warriors Campaign.

DCoE is working to tear down the stigma that still deters some from seeking treatment for problems such as PTSD and TBI with their Real Warriors Campaign.

There are some things that will require AW2′s continued support and steadfast resolve—such as the Army’s commitment to provide the finest healthcare to our AW2 Soldiers and Veterans with brain injuries. This year, as we recognize National Brain Injury Awareness Month, we again recognize that many of our men and women in uniform continue to make sacrifices that are as varied, as they are commendable. With those sacrifices, however, come some inescapable realities. Among them, are the ever present possibilities of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Throughout the medical arena, great strides are being made toward improving the care and support of our Army’s wounded warriors. Military Treatment Facilities and Veterans Affairs Polytrauma Centers continue to lead the way in researching, diagnosing, and facilitating mechanisms that help identify and treat Soldiers with TBI. The Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury is working to establish best practices and quality standards for the treatment of psychological health and TBI and promote the resilience, recovery, and reintegration of warriors and their Families. In addition, DCoE is working to tear down the stigma that still deters some from seeking treatment for problems such as PTSD and TBI with their Real Warriors Campaign. This around the clock commitment to provide specialized care and treatment to those who struggle with what may well require long-term medical care, is matched only by the fervor in which sound answers and treatment are pursued.

In a world of uncertainty, we can still hope for continued healing and recovery from brain injuries that have become synonymous with our current conflicts. Whether TBI conditions are diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe, AW2 Soldiers suffering from traumatic events and injuries can find solace in knowing that the horizon is brighter because of the Army’s commitment to support wounded warriors and their Families for as long as it takes.

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