In This Issue

Feature Topic

Self Help for PTSD

Online self-help tools offer education and coping skills to those affected by trauma. These tools can also be useful for everyday stress management.

PTSD Coach Online

Stressed? Angry? Bothered by reminders of war, an accident, assault, or disaster? Try PTSD Coach Online. Choose from 17 tools to help you manage stress and specific symptoms after trauma, such as:

• negative thinking
• reminders of the trauma
• anxiety or sleep problems

Our video coaches will guide you.

Get started with PTSD Coach Online. Learn to form good sleep habits, be in the moment, or change negative thinking patterns.

Please share your feedback: ncptsd@va.gov.

Mobile Apps

Find mobile apps that provide coping tools and support treatment for PTSD.

• If you have a smartphone, try the PTSD Coach Mobile App (for iOS and Android). This Coach is with you when you need it!
• Our Mindfulness Coach App helps you practice mindful meditation.

Other Training in Coping Skills

• Moving Forward: This educational and life coaching program teaches problem solving skills to help you handle life's challenges.
• Parenting: Strategies and tips for Service Members and Veterans to help you reconnect after deployment.
• Anger: Practical skills and tools to help manage anger and develop self-control over your thoughts and actions.

back to top

For Providers

PTSD Lecture Series: PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma

2/17 at 2 pm ET - Melissa Foynes, MD on PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma (Rescheduled from January 20)

We offer free continuing education credits for our monthly lecture series:

• Non-VA Providers: Get more information and register at the TRAIN website.
• VA Providers: Register at TMS.

Mark your calendar for the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2 pm ET/1 pm CT/12 pm PT.

Sign up for PTSD Updates to receive monthly emails that include a registration link and instructions for joining the live lectures.

Webinar: Making the Connection to Help Heal the Wounds of War

Presented by VA's Office of Mental Health Services, this course will identify unique military service issues and offer methods to break down barriers in order to better develop rapport and trust between providers.

Free CEUs are available

February 17 at 1 pm

Register on the TRAIN website

Consult with PTSD Experts

The PTSD Consultation Program offers free PTSD consultation to any provider who treats Veterans in any setting. This program is now open to Community Providers.

Have a question about PTSD? Contact us:
Call 866-948-7880 or
Email PTSDconsult@va.gov

back to top

Research at the Center

Positive Impact From PTSD Coach App

Investigators just published another evaluation of the PTSD Coach (PDF) mobile phone app. Analytics data plus user reviews revealed that the majority of users are satisfied and many experience benefit from the app’s symptom management tools.

back to top

PTSD in the News

In Volusia, Flagler police cases, PTSD and violence complex mix. Dr. Paula Schnurr, Executive Director of the National Center for PTSD, contributed to a story published February 4, 2016 in The Daytona Beach (FL) News-Journal, which explored whether having PTSD makes people more prone to violence. Read more.*

Two studies of veterans link PTSD to accelerated aging. An article posted February 3, 2016 on the medicalexpress.com website highlighted two studies that show premature aging in Veterans with PTSD, and quoted Dr. Erika Wolf, the studies' lead author, and Dr. Mark Miller, their senior author. Dr. Wolf and Dr. Miller are researchers with the National Center for PTSD's Behavioral Science Division. Read more*

VA Expert: 9/11 Made America Understand Posttraumatic Stress. In a story posted January 20, 2016 on the military.com website, Dr. Terence M. Keane, director of the Behavioral Science Division, was quoted on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD from remarks after being presented with the 2015 John Blair Barnwell Award, VA's highest honor for outstanding achievement in clinical research, from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald. Read more*

Be sure to forward this update to others so they can subscribe. We send one update per month to keep you informed of the latest PTSD developments.

Thank you,

The Staff of VA’s National Center for PTSD

back to top