February 5, 2009

Psych Help and Hotline for Military Personnel

The Department of Defense created the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury in 2007 to help the third of service members with psych and brain injury issues. A new 24-hour toll-free hotline number is (866) 966-1020. Steve Mirsky reports

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[The following is an exact transcript of this podcast.]

Nearly 20 percent of servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan report symptoms of post-traumatic stress or major depression. Another 19 percent experience possible traumatic brain injury. Some seven percent may have a combination of brain injury and depression or PTSD. That’s according to a RAND Corporation study.

To address these issues, in 2007 the Department of Defense created the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. The center’s director is Brigadier General Loree Sutton, a board certified psychiatrist. The centers recently established a 24-hour toll-free hotline number, (866) 966-1020.

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General Sutton calls the centers, “America’s open door to welcome and help every person dealing with psychological health issues and traumatic brain injury.” The hotline is also available to family members, healthcare professionals, teachers and anyone else dealing with a service member who may be experiencing psychological issues. Because the real shame is not seeking help. (866) 966-1020.

—Steve Mirsky

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