DCoE Blog

• Defense Department News: Military Crisis Line Specialist Helps Fellow Veterans

  Posted by Myron J. Goodman, DCoE Public Affairs from Defense Media Activity on September 21, 2016

  

  Knowing where to turn in a time of crisis is important. Many of us have family members, fellow service members, colleagues or friends we can reach out to. But, it’s not always easy, or best, to talk about what we’re going through with someone close to us. A recent Defense Department article explores how a crisis line specialist helps other veterans.

  Categories: Resources, Depression, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• DCoE Director: Honing our Efforts to Reduce Suicide - a Public Health Scourge

  Posted by Navy Capt. (Dr.) Mike Colston, DCoE director on September 6, 2016

  

  This article by Capt. Mike Colston, director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, is reposted from the Military Health System in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

  Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a national observance during the month of September, but suicide prevention is a priority for the Department of Defense (DoD) every day of the year. Suicide is a pressing public health issue. Suicide rates have increased alarmingly in the U.S. over the past two decades. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) will lead in preventing suicide through three lines of action: fostering research, translating clinical knowledge to the field and informing policy.

  Research

  The evidence base for suicide prevention remains thin. Research efforts such as the “Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Service members Longitudinal Project” (STARRS-LP) and protocols under the cognizance of the Military Suicide Research Consortium are producing slow but hard-won gains in the science of suicidology.

  Categories: Suicide, DCoE, Depression, Psychological Health, Leadership   |   Comments (2)

• Tips from Real Warriors: What to Expect in Therapy

  Posted by Sarah Heynen, DCoE Public Affairs from Real Warriors on August 24, 2016

  

  Most of us are familiar with a cartoon depiction of what therapy looks like: a person on a couch sharing personal fears to a serious looking provider who sits in a chair with a notepad analyzing every word. If this is your only experience of what therapy is, it can seem quite daunting! One barrier to seeking treatment for a treatable psychological health condition can be fear of the unknown. A recent article by Real Warriors shares tips on how to get ready for your first appointment, and what to expect during the process.

  Thinking about attending a therapy session for the first time might make you feel uncomfortable. You may think seeking care will make you look weak or others will lose confidence in your abilities. Know that reaching out is a sign of strength. Seeking care early can lead to positive outcomes that benefit you, your family and your unit.

  Categories: Real Warriors Campaign/Stigma, PTSD, Treatment, Depression, Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• 4 Tips to End Numbness and Reconnect with Your Emotions

  Posted by Crystal Coleman, DCoE Public Affairs on July 6, 2016

  

  Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from those close to you, or from life in general, is a common symptom of some psychological health conditions. If you feel emotional numbness, there are actions you can take to improve your emotional well-being and your psychological health. Below are four tips that may help:

  • Start with your doctors. Your family doctor can help you identify any physical issue that may cause you emotional distress. You can also reach out to a psychological health care provider such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor or social worker to learn techniques you can use to bring your feelings back. For more information on what to ask a psychological health care provider, visit the Real Warriors Campaign website.
  • Talk to those you trust. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with your family, friends or chaplain may help you find the motivation you need to make changes that will improve your mood and feelings. You can also reach out to the DCoE Outreach Center, available day or night. Call 866-966-1020, email resources@dcoeoutreach.org or live chat with a resource expert.

  Categories: PTSD, DCoE, Resources, Treatment, Depression   |   Comments (5)

• Web, Mobile Technology Helps Military Health Beneficiaries Assess, Improve Mental Health

  Posted by DCoE Public Affairs on May 26, 2016

  

  A typical day in our modern world can involve a considerable amount of stress and anxiety. In an effort to help service members—and their families—better cope with such pressures, the National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2) develops psychological health-based mobile applications and websites. A recent article by the Military Health System Communications Office explores how these tools can help service members and their families.

  “The great thing about these applications and web tools is that they allow us to have a much bigger impact with our target population,” said David Cooper, psychologist and mobile applications lead at T2. “For instance, Breathe2Relax has been downloaded more than 300,000 times. I could never see that many patients in my entire scope of practice. The technology and applications we’re developing at T2 are really helping us provide better overall care.” At the same time, physicians note that an app is not a substitute for direct medical care and, if needed, people should seek professional help.

  Read the full article from Military Health System Communications Office, “Web, mobile technology helps MHS beneficiaries assess, improve mental health,” on the health.mil website.

  Categories: DCoE Products, PTSD, DCoE, Treatment, Depression, Psychological Health, Military Children   |   Comments (0)

• Clinician's Corner: Recognizing and Responding to Your Own Mental Health Needs

  Posted by Danielle Worthington, Ph.D., Jennifer Tucker, Ph.D., Stacy Tylor, Psy.D., Laura Neely, Psy.D., and Marjan G. Holloway, Ph.D., Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Laboratory for the Treatment of Suicide-Related Ideation and Behavior on May 16, 2016

  

  Do you know a mental health provider who’s always physically and emotionally tired? What about a colleague who is going through a significant life stressor such as a divorce and doesn’t pay enough attention to how this stressor impacts his or her functioning and work with patients?

  How often do you stop and think about your own emotional well-being? What do you do about it?

  "Please secure your oxygen mask before assisting others."

  It’s important to recognize early warning signs of mental health problems, pay attention to self-care and seek help in a timely manner.

  Categories: Clinician’s Corner, DCoE, Providers, Treatment, Depression, Psychological Health   |   Comments (2)