DCoE Blog

• Change Your Behavior for Good!

  Posted by Diana Moon, DCoE Public Affairs on June 11, 2013

  
  DoD photos

  We all know people who courageously decide to make behavioral changes, whether it’s to exercise more, cut out alcohol, stop smoking, or spend less time on the Internet and more time with family. Some are successful with making new habits stick, while others fall back into the familiarity of their former, even if unhealthy, routines. So, it’s no surprise that changing behaviors can be challenging. It’s rarely a simple process and may require a concentrated commitment of time and effort to make them permanent. But, there are ways to increase your chances of success. 

  It should help to know that numerous studies indicate you’re not doomed to destructive habits. It’s possible to adopt new habits as well as undo negative ones. It may well rest on gaining some insights into approaches recommended by professionals.

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  Categories: Research , Resilience , Psychological Health   |   Comments (0)

• Reaching Vets in the Golden Hour of Mental Health Injuries

  Posted by Corina Notyce, DCoE Public Affairs on June 5, 2013

  
  U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nathanael Callon

  Below is a blog post from the Department of Veterans Affairs blog, “VAntage Point.” 

  Veterans are naturally drawn to communities. We’re closer than brothers and sisters in the military, and we’re more than a family in combat. But once we leave a cohesive unit, joining a community is voluntary. Organizations like Team Rubicon and Team Red, White and Blue have capitalized on the military ethos of community and cohesiveness to support the veteran population.

  Yet, even with support networks in place, some vets in crisis unfortunately take their lives. In war, many lives are saved in the golden hour — the small window of time someone can survive serious wounds if they get immediate medical attention. But, what about a golden hour for veterans who need mental health attention?

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  Categories: Suicide , Community Support , Veterans , Reintegration , Resources , Treatment , Psychological Health   |   Comments (2)

• Small Steps to Improved Mental Health

  Posted by Corina Notyce, DCoE Public Affairs on May 30, 2013

  
  U.S. Army photo

  This month, we encouraged you to take charge of your mental health and reflect on whether yours could be improved. It’s easy to forget how important our mental health is to our overall health and well-being, and how with very little effort we can maintain it. Everyone faces stresses and demands. Life can take a toll on our mind and body, but if we commit a little time each day to improving our mental health, we will do for our mind what regular physical exercise does for our bodies — makes us stronger and more fit.

   

  The Real Warriors Campaign article, “Psychological Fitness — Keeping Your Mind Fit,” does a good job of summing up the importance of having a fit mind, not just a fit body. Psychological fitness involves building your mental, emotional and behavioral abilities in order to effectively cope with the unique and changing challenges of military service. In other words, developing a healthier mental state can carry you through tough times. It can also help you be a source of strength for others. By focusing on the following five areas, you can strengthen your psychological fitness:    

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  Categories: Real Warriors Campaign/Stigma , Resilience , Stress , Resources , Depression , Psychological Health   |   Comments (2)

• Support Critical for Returning National Guard, Reserve Members

  Posted by Diana Moon, DCoE Public Affairs on May 24, 2013

  
  Oklahoma National Guardsmen respond to the devastation caused by a deadly tornado that struck Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James)

  Of the more than two million service members who have deployed as part of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, approximately 665,000 were reserve component members. As a result, a large number of these troops have experienced the individual or combined stressors of long and/or multiple deployments with short breaks between their services. 

  In the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) May webinar, “Psychological Health Issues in the National Guard and Reserves: Prevalence, Barriers and Treatment,” Dr. M. Tracie Shea, a psychologist and director of posttraumatic stress disorder research at Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, R.I., discussed psychological health concerns experienced by reserve component members post deployment, challenges they face accessing care, and treatment recommendations for providers who work with them. 

  Active-duty and reserve component members face different reintegration challenges. Shea explained that the different stressors that National Guard and reserve members face may contribute to psychological health concerns after deployment (posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, substance abuse, anger and aggression). These stressors include:

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  Categories: PTSD , Families , Veterans , DCoE , Reintegration , Resources , Psychological Health , Deployments   |   Comments (0)

• Need Some Motivation Right Now?

  Posted by Corina Notyce, DCoE Public Affairs on May 23, 2013

  In Adam Anicich’s blog post, “Take Responsibility for Your Recovery and Get Back on Track,” from his “Adam at Ease” video blog series, he reminds those who  experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) but feel unmotivated to participate in their rehabilitation, how important it is to take an active role in their recovery, even when progress seems slow. One way to do this is by setting a goal — physical, emotional, psychological or social, and start working toward it. Seeing even a little progress on a daily or weekly basis can be encouraging and possibly just the motivational boost you need. Watch Adam’s video for more strategies to get back on track with healing.

   

  Video courtesy of Brainlinemilitary.org

   

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  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury , Personal Stories , Community Support , Veterans , Resources , Treatment   |   Comments (0)

• DCoE Director Outlines Tenure Accomplishments in Farewell Message

  Posted by Navy Capt. Paul S. Hammer, DCoE director on May 16, 2013

  
  
  Capt. Paul Hammer in Afghanistan, 2011, with members of the Gray Team, a hand-selected group of experts representing the service chiefs, combatant commands, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters regarding the "invisible wounds of war." (Courtesy photo)

  Tomorrow, I hand over the reins of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) to Capt. Richard F. Stoltz, MSC, USN. When I came to DCoE two and a half years ago, I laid out my vision for the way ahead, how we would get there and what the end state would look like.

  First, we would need to develop a comprehensive base of knowledge to evaluate, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate service members with psychological health concerns and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

  Second, we would continue to provide timely, accurate, comprehensive and focused information on psychological health and traumatic brain injury to the military services and Defense Department colleagues.

  Third, we would develop a comprehensive analysis of gaps in research and aggressively advocate how to fill those gaps.

  Fourth, we would leverage our knowledge and clinical expertise to improve the system of care.

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  Categories: Traumatic Brain Injury , DCoE , Psychological Health , Leadership   |   Comments (5)