Maj. Gen. John W. Libby, adjutant general for the Maine National Guard.

I returned from Vietnam in September 1969 suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  I understood my condition to be an anxiety disorder that occurred as a result of my combat experience, having seen and experienced injury and death. My symptoms then, and now, were primarily avoidance: emotional numbing, lack of interest in things that interested me before, and staying away from places, people and objects that reminded me of the event (it took me years to find the courage to visit the Vietnam Memorial).

While more attention is being paid to the psychological health needs of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan than were paid to my generation, shame and denial remains a significant barrier to military personnel and their families getting the psychiatric treatment they need.

I can testify first hand that seeking and receiving help is easy, important to the warrior and the family, and does not become an impediment to one’s successful career in the military.

On 9/11, members of the guard and reserve didn’t realize it, but we ceased being a strategic reserve and became an operation reserve with all of the associated benefits and issues that come with multiple mobilizations and deployments.

While the learning curve was steep, most states had not mobilized and deployed warriors to combat since World War II; the deployments were accomplished through significant effort at both the state and federal levels. Federal guidance and resources were quick in coming and literally arrive on a daily basis even now.

In Maine, our personnel undergo the Soldier Readiness Process (SRP) prior to mobilization that looks at personnel and medical readiness standards. Upon return, they undergo a reverse process, the Deployment Home Station Activity (DHSA) that includes a one-on-one interview with a psychological health provider, 30/60/90-day reintegration activities for them and their families and the Post-Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA) at the 120-day mark. We have, additionally, utilized ImPACT Testing to develop a baseline to assist us in determining if our personnel have experienced mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

While programs differ slightly from state to state, the basic approach is identical nationwide.

Multiple opportunities exist within the protocols detailed above for personnel to be evaluated on their psychological health condition and needs. Providing the resources to meet those needs has been another significant challenge. In Maine, we have developed the Maine Military and Community Network (MMCN), a collaboration among community services, military, government, non-profit and private sector entities and individuals to provide services to all returning service members and their families. At the federal level, Military OneSource is a service provided by the Department of Defense, at no cost to active duty, guard and reserve and their families, that is a virtual extension of services provided at installation level or by individual states to include counseling services provided in person, by phone and on-line.

The fact is we are all changed by our experiences in combat, but that change does not need to be a negative. We will help you determine your psychological health needs in confidence and provide you the resources you need to deal with those needs both in and out of the military system based on your desires.

I was a young captain when I returned from Vietnam needing psychological health counseling, but that event has not shaped my life nor has my seeing help been detrimental to my career. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to move forward upon your return with our help.

For Maj. Gen. Libby’s bio, click here.

*DCoE has health resource consultants available 24/7 at the DCoE Outreach Center, who can provide you with useful information and resources on psychological health and traumatic brain injury. The center can be reached by phone at 866-966-1020 or chat live online at www.dcoe.health.mil/24-7help.aspx.

*Be sure to check out the guard and reserve section of DCoE’s website for more resources and information, and the July issue of DCoE in Action.