Mental Health

Forward Observer: Bethany UM Adds to Its Military Veteran Family Support Services

LVMAC Poster Art 2005As we reported in a 19 September blog, Bethany United Methodist Church located in the Macungie/Wescoville area, intended to conduct two workshops to promote a better understanding of PTSD with the ultimate intention of starting a peer-to-peer support group afterwards.

As a result of those meetings, we have learned that the church has started two of these types of support groups instead:  one for male veterans and another for women, whether veterans or spouses or ‘significant others’ — which makes this group unique to the valley when looked at from a veteran’s context. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Chess, “the Fairy Tale of 1001 Blunders”, Finds a Purpose

According to some, there is a growing body of empirical evidence that chess can help ease the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) — helping with both cognitive functioning and mental health.  In some parts of the country, chess clubs have actively worked with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and the VFW.  And, chess brings people from all walks of life together more casually through the pleasure of a game — something often missing in our society.  Its benefit can be manifold. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: Bethany Church Launches Effort to Address PTSD and Trauma

LVMAC Poster Art 2005It is in the formative stage, but the Bethany Church located in the Macungie area, will be hosting two workshops to promote a better understanding PTSD — with the intention of starting a peer-to-peer support group afterwards, if successful.  Led by Scotty Coyle, Pastor of Discipleship and also a current war, combat veteran, the approach is non-clinical, for he is not a clinical psychologist.  However, he is an experienced counselor who has studied PTSD treatments.

It is unfortunate that some veterans (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: Vet Center Counseling Now Available During Training or Drill Weekends for the Guard– BUT NOT SO MUCH IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY?

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 27 August the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it had formalized a partnership with the Department of Defense formalized a partnership on 28 June between VA’s Vet Centers and the National Guard Bureau, to provide Vet Center counseling, outreach staff and other services to members during training or drill weekends to decrease their suicide rate — a reputed problem in the Pennsylvania National Guard. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Emergency Mental Health Care Extended to Other-Than-Honorable Dischargees

On 27 June 2017,  the  VA released its final plans laying the framework for providing emergency mental health coverage to former service members with Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) administrative discharges.  For the older generations of veterans, the characterization of service was termed Undesirable.

Effective July 5, all Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical centers are to offer emergency stabilization care for former service members who present at the facility with an emergent mental health need. Under this initiative, former service members with an OTH administrative discharge may receive care for their mental health emergency for an initial period of up to 90 days, which can include inpatient, residential or outpatient care. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Resolving the Suicide Issue: The Obvious Brings Its Own Complications

Veterans At Risk Of Suicide Negotiate A Thorny Relationship With Guns, NPR Reports

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Two key points are raised in the article which follows that affect the results, and work against what would seem to be common sense:

1) There is a question as to if the VA is really following a due or, at least, a fair process.  We know of a veteran who was not properly informed of the proceedings against him.  In addition, the VA, according to this article, is probably violating his/her Second Amendment rights, while trying to do the right thing.

2) Fear of being branded as mentally incompetent, may cause affected veterans not to access the benefits they’ve earned, including access to health care for conditions related to their military service.  When a veteran is most fragile, he/she may be effectively driven away.  Why is the term “mental incompetence” used in all instances in the first place? (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Talking About Yoga, You Might Want to Check Out Meghan’s Foundation

Meghan Foundation LogoWe just posted an article on Lehigh Valley Health Network’s yoga class offering.  However, we would be remiss if we did not mention Meghan’s Foundation which has been conducting free yoga classes for active duty military, veterans and their spouses for quite some time in the Lehigh Valley.  It was probably the first to introduce the idea of using yoga as a way of coping with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the Lehigh Valley. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago