Afghanistan: Resources available for PTSD | VAntage Point

This is the last in a four-part series about Afghanistan Veterans and how they can get help through VA. Read the other parts:

Part 1: Afghanistan: How Veterans can reconcile service

Part 2: Afghanistan: How Veterans can learn from Vietnam Veterans

Part 3: Afghanistan: How spouses, caregivers can support Veterans

The last part of this series focuses on resources available for PTSD. While this series focused on Afghanistan Veterans, options apply to all Veterans.

There are several effective options to treat PTSD. According to Dr. Sonya Norman, director of the National Center for PTSD Consultation Program, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Choosing a treatment from the options that we know work well should take into account your doctor’s recommendations and your preferences. Knowing the different options allows a Veteran to choose a treatment that is the best fit for them.

Active duty and Veterans should not be ashamed of getting the help they need, said Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón “CZ” Colón-López. An Afghanistan Veteran himself who battled PTSD, Colón-López said seeking mental health help should be routine.
Veterans with PTSD can get treatment at nearly 200 specialized programs throughout the country. Veterans can get PTSD treatment at any VA medical center and at some large Community Based Outpatient Clinics. This locator is at https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/PTSD.asp.

“We don’t think twice about putting weapon systems in maintenance because we need them,” Colón-López said. “We run quality control checks on everything. But the one decisive advantage we have as a U.S. military is the human weapon system. This is no different, so we need to make sure we take care of everything that we can right now as we draw down in Afghanistan. This is our depot maintenance period.”
One of the easiest methods Veterans can use to find options is the PTSD Decision Aid at https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/decisionaid/. Veterans can read about the treatments that work or watch videos explaining how they work. Veterans can build a chart to compare treatments and get a personalized summary.

Call the Vet Center Call Center confidentially 24 hours a day, seven days a week at [login to see] . Vet Center locations are at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=vet_center.

PTSD Coach

The PTSD Coach app can help Veterans learn about and manage symptoms that often occur after trauma. The app, available at https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/ptsdcoach_app.asp, has features that include:

Reliable information on PTSD and treatments that work
Tools for screening and tracking symptoms
Convenient, easy-to-use tools to help handle stress symptoms
Direct links to support and help
Available 24/7
Self-help apps include:

Mindfulness Coach, helping to practice mindfulness meditation, is at https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/mindfulcoach_app.asp.

AIMS for Anger Management is at https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/aims_app.asp.

PTSD Family Coach is at https://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-family-coach.

VetChange helps users with PTSD build skills to reduce problem drinking. It’s at https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/VetChange_app.asp.

#VetResources
There’s a host of other resources available at https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/category/vets-experience/vetresources/.

#VetResources is a weekly newsletter of VA and non-VA resources sent every Wednesday night to Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. #VetResources focuses on tangible resources that VA’s customers can use immediately or for keeping aware of important updates. Email sign up is at https://www.va.gov/vetresources/.