HIGH-TECH ACCESS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Outreach Center Broadens Mental Health Resources
By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va., June 12, 2013 - Service members or anyone who bears the invisible scars of post-traumatic stress now have high-tech access to online resources to fight stress, depression and other psychological health concerns, a Defense Department official said here yesterday.


The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center is a 24-hour phone, chat and email portal open to everyone and provides access to resources and information related to psychological health and traumatic brain injury issues, said George Lamb, outreach chief for the centers.

"Anybody can call if they need information on psychological health or traumatic brain injury," Lamb said. "We've received chats from downrange, where a service member has gone in [and] spoken with the doctor, and we were able to provide them the information they needed."

The National Center for Telehealth and Technology is a DOD agency that has developed Web, mobile and virtual reality tools to target post-traumatic stress disorder and mild traumatic brain injuries and to contribute to suicide prevention in the military community and beyond, he added.

Apps include the T2 MoodTracker, which identifies triggers and improves the mood, and Breath2Relax, a portable stress management tool that uses breathing techniques to reduce stress, Lamb explained.

In 2007, a mental health task force discovered a lack of mental health resources available to service members and others afflicted with psychological health problems, Lamb added.
Family members, friends, veterans or service members themselves can use the resources.
"It's free, and it's information that has been vetted by DOD," Lamb said. "We're not just doing Google searches and adding information to it."

Lamb said callers in crisis can connect to coaches who work with suicide prevention teams or local authorities and maintain contact with the caller until help arrives. The Outreach Center also is available to clinical staff members who can in turn provide the resources and information to service members.

"Even if the war was to end today, our service members still have the injuries that they've incurred in combat, and their family members are still going to have questions for years to come," Lamb said. "It's going to be enduring."

COPING WITH STRESS

FROM:  USA.GOV
Alleviate Stress: Help Coping with Life’s Tensions
It’s easy to let the little stresses of life pile up and overwhelm you all at once. With so many ongoing activities and events at work and at home, it’s easy to feel anxiety build up – usually at the worst moment. USA.gov can help put things in perspective with these helpful resources:

Constantly being on the go can be an added stress to an already busy day. The National Center for Telehealth and Technology has a free app, Breathe2Relax, available on androids and iPhones. The app includes instructions and practice exercises to help you conquer stress management. Breathing exercises have proven to help improve moods and lessen anxiety.

Stress can come in all different forms, and can affect you on many levels. Physically, you may notice a faster heart beat, rapid breathing, trembling and more. While certain life events like starting a new job or moving are typical stressful events, learn when it is time to contact a medical professional. Panic attacks and thoughts of fears you cannot control are critical moments to reach out to a medical professional.
Having some everyday stress is normal, and even healthy. But too much stress can lead to other unhealthy behaviors and lifestyles. Take the quick “Stress-o-meter” quiz to get your personal stress profile and make sure you aren’t letting life’s little tensions build up to an unhealthy level.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or severe emotional distress, call 1-800-273- TALK (1-800-273-8255), or if it is a medical emergency, call 911. USA.gov offers many resources on specific mental health conditions as well as substance abuse effects on mental health. You can learn about particular disorders and mental health topics from information across the federal government.