Coaching Into Care eNews

Welcome to Coaching Into Care's first quarterly newsletter! You are receiving this email because you have been identified as a friend or supporter of our program. Coaching Into Care (CIC) is a telephone-based program developed by The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help callers talk to their Veteran about getting the treatment and support he or she needs.

Our target caller? A family member or friend who is concerned about a Veteran, who may need mental health care and is reluctant to seek help.  The caller likely has had one or more unsuccessful discussions with the Veteran about treatment.

Our highly trained responders and licensed mental health professionals provide these free services:

• Encouragement and information about getting an evaluation and services
• Coaching with callers to develop ideas for improving communication with the Veteran
• Suggestions about self-care and education about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Referrals to services and support resources for Veterans and their family members or friends.

How can you help? Share our number with those who may benefit from our services, order or download CIC flyers and notepads at our website and get the word out at events and settings in which the family members of Veterans are present.  We greatly appreciate those of you who have helped in these ways already!

The following case illustrates the kind of work CIC does. All identifying information has been changed.

When Lisa called us, she didn't know where to begin. Her son, an Army Veteran who served recently in Iraq, had been diagnosed with PTSD, was drinking alcohol excessively, and had recently attempted to end his life. He also had been arrested for disorderly conduct. She had bailed him out of jail, but now what?

The call responder provided support and helped Lisa connect to the crisis line and local Suicide Prevention Coordinator and OEF/OIF team.  A coach helped her understand PTSD and begin to change ways in which she was supporting his drinking behavior. The coach also helped her get support for herself and build a positive relationship with her son before asking him to make radical changes.

After six calls with a coach across a few months, Lisa began to feel empowered and hopeful. Her son stopped drinking and began resolving his legal problems. He has enrolled for care in a VA Medical Center and is planning to enter treatment and go back to school.

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

Research has shown that family members who hold a medical view of depression (that it's a disease like diabetes) are less critical of their relative than those who hold a moral view of depression (that it's a personal weakness of character, sign of laziness, etc.).  CIC helps family members help their loved one who may be suffering from depression understand the illness as well as the importance of family support in preventing relapse and encouraging treatment.

Read more about this research