Healing Our Troops

The Center has created a program of training in mind-body medicine and on-going support for physicians and mental health professionals working with veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan as a first step to providing veterans with a powerful and healthy approach to dealing with the stress of war and to enhancing their resiliency.

This program will be a significant focus at our Fall 2008 Mind-Body Medicine training, for which we have received fudning to bring 20 military healthcare professionals on scholarship. We are seeking additional funding for this important effort.

The need:

The severe trauma of war and its resounding impact on individuals and families is well documented. Even more deeply disturbing, the need for effective care is not being met.

  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most common diagnosis among troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq after musculoskeletal injuries.
  • A recent RAND Corporation study reports approximately 300,000 veterans are affected by PTSD and depression.
  • A study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that about one in six combat troops returning from Iraq have suffered at least one concussion in the war, many from roadside blasts. Researchers report that these injuries, while temporary, could heighten their risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • The most common symptoms reported by veterans coming to VA healthcare centers are anger and sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances are a main feature of PTSD and can exacerbate depression, suicidality, general psychiatric distress, poor quality of life and functioning, and poorer perceived physical health.
  • In the PTSD guidelines, it is noted that populations such as veterans with PTSD are especially resistant to first-line therapy and are good candidates for programs that include multiple modalities.

Our global trauma relief model:

The Center for Mind-Body Medicine has developed a trauma relief program utilizing mind-body skills including biofeedback, relaxation, guided imagery, meditation, drawing, and breathing exercises that has been used successfully around the world.

This program, which is presented in small educational groups, has the advantage of enhancing veterans’ capacity to help themselves while mobilizing social support crucial to full recovery. The Center has used this program to assist in population-wide healing efforts in war-torn and traumatized regions around the world, including Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Israel and Gaza , and in the United States with NYC firefighters post-9/11 and in post-Katrina Louisiana.

Our research:

The Center’s published research shows remarkable results.

In a pilot study of high school students in Kosovo attending mind-body skills groups taught by Center-trained teachers, the percentage of students with symptoms of posttraumatic stress decreased from 88% initially to 38% following the program (Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2004).

Our published research includes:

  • Staples, Julie K. & Gordon, James S. "Effectiveness of a Mind-Body Skills Training Program for Healthcare Professionals." Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 11(4), (2005): 36-41-- to read, click here
  • Gordon, James S., Julie K. Staples, Afrim Blyta, and Murat Bytyqi. "Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Postwar Kosovo High School Students Using Mind-Body Skills Groups: A Pilot Study." Journal of Traumatic Stress. 17 (2004): 143-147—to read, click here

Our goals:

Our model offers returning troops a supportive, non-stigmatizing environment comprised of their peers that encourages sharing a common healing experience that will ultimately lead them to resiliency and recovery. Our goal is to train a sufficient number of military health and mental health professionals to help bring population-wide relief and healing among our returning troops.

Join us in helping Heal Our Troops.

Learn more about the training: click here

Donate funds to help a Military health professional attend: click here

Read about our other Global Trauma Relief programs: click here

 

My experience with this training has given me a gut-level belief in the strengths and resources within each of my patients. And, thanks to their experience in the group, my patients are learning to believe in these strengths as well! I only wish everyone could have access to this training.

- Chanel Helgason, MD, Psychiatrist, VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System