CIC eNews Fall 2013 Issue

This Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving, Coaching Into Care (CIC) would like to thank all our country's Service Members, Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. We are grateful for their courage and strength.

Military service takes a toll on family members and friends. They reach out to us for help with finding effective treatments, services and programs. We guide them towards effective conversation about their concerns and treatment options, with the goal of connecting the Veteran in their life to care.

Coaching callers often involves psycho-education using our Partners' web sites. The National Center for PTSD not only covers all aspects of combat stress and its treatment but includes tips for helping a family member. After Deployment and Defense Centers of Excellence offer sound mental health information in a military context. Real Warriors offers extensive resources and tips for Veterans and families. The video testimonials on Make the Connection and About Face aim to reduce the stigma of seeking help. One of the best ways family members can help a struggling Veteran is by learning all they can about the issues they face.

All of us play a unique and vital role in helping support and advocate for our Veterans and in linking them to the services and resources they deserve. Thank you!

Check out our Partner Resources>>

The following is based on a real case that illustrates the work CIC does. All identifying information has been changed.

Judy, the girlfriend of an Army Veteran, called with concerns about combat stress and alcohol misuse, and the toll these were taking on their relationship. Her boyfriend would acknowledge the need for treatment but wouldn't follow through, and they were quickly growing apart. A call responder provided support, education about combat stress, prepared the caller for the coaching process and encouraged her to take things slowly rather than to fix everything right away.

Working with a coach over the next few months, Judy continued to receive support, validation and education about PTSD. She learned how to communicate her feelings in ways that her boyfriend was better able to hear. She also followed up with referrals to start her own counseling with a therapist from Give An Hour.

The coach worked with Judy on ways to present resources to her boyfriend as a menu of options to choose from as well as on reframing the conversation about treatment by viewing and sharing a video on Combat Stress and PTSD. Within a month, the Veteran decided to contact a provider and entered into therapy. A month after that, Judy was reporting improvement in the relationship and was very grateful for CIC's services.

Need a hand helping a Veteran get into care?
Reach out to us. 888-823-7458 M-F 8AM-8PM Eastern.

Coaching Into Care assists concerned family members and friends with problem-solving on every call. Talking with a loved one about behavior changes and seeking treatment isn't always easy. We first help callers specify their view of the problem. Often the caller sees it differently than the Veteran. We guide them through the problem-solving steps so they can do the same with the Veteran they're calling about. Encouraging problem solving in a non-judgmental approach can help callers and the Veteran explore their options together. Did you know that the VA has a free, online problem-solving website that is designed especially for Service Members, Veterans and their families?

Start Moving Forward here>>

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