In This Issue

Feature Topic

Social Support

Friends, family and others can help you through tough times. Social support after a disaster, assault, accident or other trauma is related to lower risk of developing PTSD.

Family and Peer Support

• Relationships and PTSD: Some of the symptoms of PTSD can make it harder to connect with others. Learn how to keep your relationships strong.
• Peer Support Groups: Discuss day-to-day problems with others who have been through trauma. Find PTSD support groups near you or online.

How to Seek and Give Social Support

Family and community members can provide support following trauma. Understanding PTSD is the first step. Also see:

• Help for Family and Friends: Understand what your loved one is experiencing and how to take care of yourself too.
• PTSD and Communities: Whether or not you are personally involved, you may come in contact with someone who has experienced trauma or who has PTSD. Learn more.
• Psychological First Aid Survivor Handouts: Learn how to seek and give social support following disasters, such as the tragic shooting in Fort Hood.

Newly Revised

Dogs and PTSD: Discusses what is known about the role of dogs in PTSD recovery.

Materials for Printing: Find a trifold "What is PTSD" brochure, handouts on PTSD resources, and more to print and share.

News and Views: A new rotating feature to keep you informed of PTSD topics in the news.

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For Providers

Involving Others in Professional Care

Therapists provide support that is complimented by the support of family, peers, clergy, and others in the community.

• PTSD and the Family: Learn about the effects of PTSD on family and why to involve family members in treatment.
• Peer Support from AboutFace: This online video collection featuring Veterans with PTSD can help patients and families see what PTSD is like from those who have been there.
• VA Peer Specialists: VA has hired over 900 Veteran role models who are trained to help other Veterans with mental health conditions to identify and achieve recovery goals.
• Spirituality and Trauma: Information to help pastoral care professionals provide spiritual guidance following a traumatic event. For many trauma survivors, spirituality is a resource associated with resilience and recovery.

Psychological First Aid (PFA) Following Disaster

PFA Field Operations Guide and Training: Learn to assist people in the immediate aftermath of disasters like the Washington state landslide and the shooting at Ford Hood.

From the War Zone to the Home Front Series 2014

Support the mental health of Veterans and families. Physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and counselors: Register today for free online trainings. Complimentary CME/CE/CEU credits.

Thursdays at 11:30 am - 12:30 pm ET. April 10 - May 22, 2014 (recorded and on demand after airing)

• 4/10 - Reproductive Mental Health in Younger and Older Female Veterans
• 4/17 - Clinical Case Conference - Changing and Complicated Family Dynamics When a Veteran Returns Home
• 4/24 - Student Veterans' Health: What College Health Professionals and Faculty Need to Know
• 5/1 - Service Dogs, Acupuncture, Psychotherapy and More: What's the Evidence and What's Evidence-based

Find more titles and register today.

New Online

PTSD Overview Course: Provides a detailed description of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, risk factors, and evidence-based treatments for PTSD.

PTSD History and Overview: Covers from DSM-III in 1980 to date. Also find related readings.

Research on PTSD, Aggression, and Violence: Includes important issues to consider when interpreting findings.

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For VA Providers

2014 VA PTSD Consultation Program Lecture Series

Subscribe: Learn about our PTSD Lectures

VA staff, please sign up for VA Staff PTSD Updates to receive monthly notices that include a registration link and instructions for joining the live lectures.

Next Lecture in the Series

• 4/16 at 2 pm ET - Sonya Norman, PhD and Dan Kivlahan PhD on Update on Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorder

Mark your calendar for the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2 pm ET.

Free PTSD consultation for anyone working with Veterans.
Call 866-948-7880 or
Email PTSDconsult@va.gov.

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Research at the Center

Two online courses for family members of Veterans with PTSD or alcohol use disorders are being tested. An ongoing Center trial examines if these trainings increase Veterans' use of mental health care and improve family members' wellbeing and relationship quality.

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PTSD in the News

Vets React to Shooting at Fort Hood. Our thoughts are with those who are dealing with this and other tragedies worldwide. Read more.*

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Learn about the prevalence and effects of sexual trauma against men, women, children, and military service members. Read more.*

Disability Claims Backlog Reduced by 44 Percent Since Peaking One Year Ago. There is still more work to do, yet significant progress has been made toward eliminating VA claims backlog. Read more.*

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

Feature Topic next month: Medication for PTSD

The Staff of VA’s National Center for PTSD

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