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Photos New PTSD Clinic uses virtual reality Dr. Alan Maiers (left), the assistant chief of the Warrior Resiliancy Program at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, simulates a virtual reality city patrol Aug. 26 for Maj. Monty Baker, the Warrior Resiliancy Program director of research. The virtual reality program is designed to treat servicemembers who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder after returning from combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Amber Bressler) Download HiRes Wilford Hall opens new PTSD Clinic Posted 9/17/2009 Email story Print story by Linda Frost 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs 9/17/2009 - LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Wilford Hall Medical Center has a new clinic to treat patients who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. The PTSD Clinic offers evidence-based treatments and a virtual reality program to help Airmen returning from combat operations. PTSD is an anxiety disorder which can occur after a person has been through a traumatic event, according to the National Center for PTSD. "We want to provide the highest quality care possible for patients experiencing PTSD," said Col. (Dr.) Gerald Talcott, 59th Medical Wing Mental Health Squadron commander. As part of the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, the PTSD Clinic was created in response to the increasing number of service and family members with PTSD. It is timely in that it coincides with the establishment of the Air Force's new Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, a pilot program initiated at eight Air Force bases. The Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, using a computer-simulated Virtual Iraq and Virtual Afghanistan, allows Airmen to interact and recreate a traumatic scene and recall sights, sounds, smells, thoughts and feelings. Still in its preliminary stages, the clinic staff started seeing patients Aug. 3, and is led by Dr. Kellie Crowe, staff psychologist. "We are very excited about providing evidence-based treat

Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program: All branches of the service have some form of the program, according to Lt. Col. Robin Smith Sr., chief well-being officer for the Army Reserve. The Yellow Ribbon program was launched "to prepare soldiers and their families for mobilization, sustain the families during mobilization and to help with reintegration with their families, communities and employers upon redeployment," he said.

Officials in the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing have developed a unique program called the Body Mass Reduction Program which is designed to aid Airmen in achieving a healthy lifestyle while improving their mission capability and contributions to the wing.

Warrior Adventure Quest, a program that uses outdoor recreation to help soldiers deal with post-deployment stress. Recently returned soldiers all over Europe, including more than 3,500 members of 2nd Cav, are doing activities such as rock climbing, scuba diving, cross country skiing, high ropes courses and mountain biking as part of the program.

Col. (Dr.) Francisco J. Rentas, Director of Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) discusses the organization and its efforts surrounding National Blood Donor M...

Fort Campbell hired a suicide prevention program manager, the first on a US military installation, to oversee family support and social work programs on the post and organize efforts to help soldiers struggling after multiple deployments.

A mental health clinic has opened at Bagram Air Base that is modeled after a program successfully used in Iraq, officials say. Called the Bagram Freedom Restoration Center, the clinic houses servicemembers for several days during a structured program. Servicemembers come from across Afghanistan, according to Capt. Don Hawkins, officer in charge of the clinic.

Doctor uses music's healing power PBS special titled "Healthy Minds," a 13-part educational series in its second season on New York's WLIW 21. The show will focus on how soldiers deal with post traumatic stress disorder and how military and medical personnel are helping alleviate it. The program will focus on music, and how it helps patients come to terms with their war memories and experiences. The doctor's poetry, another element inspired by her therapeutic sessions, will also be featured on the program.

WASHINGTON - The Army Family Action Plan kicked off its 25th anniversary conference with Secretary of the Army Pete Geren telling the 117 delegates that funding would double from $700 million to $1.4 billion for family programs in the coming year.

That's the message from Marine officials, who are ready to enforce the Corps' new Body Composition and Military Appearance programs with little mercy now that a 120-day grace period, put in place as a heads-up for Marines who needed to lose weight, is over. Male Marines who are 26 and younger will be assigned to the program if they can't keep their body fat at or below 18 percent of their total body weight, while women 26 or younger must be at or below 26 percent.

The Defense Department is launching a new program soon that's designed to assist transitioning service members in accessing help for mental health issues, a U.S. Public Health Service officer announced in Washington, D.C., Mar. 23. The Transitional Support Program is "designed to bridge potential gaps in psychological health services that can occur during periods of transfer," when service members complete military service and re-enter civilian life, according to Cmdr. Guy Mahoney, who is detailed to work with the Defense Department.

To strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs programs for survivors of the nation's veterans and servicemembers, VA officials have staffed an office to serve as the their advocate, with a charter that includes creating or modifying programs, benefits and services.

Program at Fort Carson helping soliders with hearing damage.

As Armed Services Blood Program officials join with the rest of the nation in observing National Blood Donor Month, the program's director expressed gratitude for the more than 165,000 donations from Defense Department military, civilians and their families in 2008.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - The Department of Defense (DoD) is working with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand a pilot program that simplifies the current disability evaluation process for wounded, injured and ill service members.

The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, launched last year by the Pentagon, is designed to ease the transition home for reservists.

TMA is offering a pilot program that delivers post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury (PTSD/TBI) education to civilian behavioral health providers in a convenient, online setting. The new civilian provider portal can be accessed at http://www.health.mil/civilianprovidereducation.

A word on suicide prevention and support programs from Army Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, commander, Division West and Fort Carson, Colo.

Looking out for one's "battle buddy" while off duty as well as on has emerged as a central element of all four services' efforts to combat sexual assault within the ranks, service program managers told the House Armed Services military personnel subcommittee Friday.

Representatives from the National Amputee Golf Association this year teamed up with the military to introduce service personnel such as Clark to First Swing, a program designed to involve amputees in golf. First Swing representatives visited Fort Sam Houston recently.