By unanimous vote, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have both passed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act. This striking moment of bipartisan cohesion displays remarkable national leadership and makes clear that our veterans who struggle with suicidal impulses deserve the best care they can get. Our wounded warriors are… Read More
As headlines like ArtsBeat’s pronounce “American Sniper Continues to Rout Box Office Competition,” a thoughtful person must step back from this sudden phenomenon and consider: what am I looking to learn from this movie? Indeed, the movie can serve as a valuable focal point for national discussion about war and its impact. As a mental… Read More
In his January 17 N. Y. Times article, After PTSD, More Trauma, David J Morris speaks candidly about his need to recover from PTSD and his bad initial treatment experience. This offers a chance to clarify and expand on points made in The Wounds Within. The four top level evidence-based treatments for PTSD as stated… Read More
A distinction between the psychological and physical wounds of war may seem obvious at first consideration. It would appear easy to separate the wounds of war into the physical and the psychological. Most people have an initial sense of distinctions between them. But when we view them more carefully, these distinctions blur and even become… Read More
The holiday season not always merry. Jeff Lucey’s first Christmas after returning from Iraq was not a merry one. In fact, it brought out his pain. This is not uncommon for the veterans who are still carrying a heavy load of combat memories. Jeff had returned from Iraq to an elated welcome and indeed, he… Read More
Congratulations to the Springfield, MA Vet Center for 30 years of service to the community. The center recently moved to its location to offer more services. There are about 250 Vet Centers throughout the country providing a welcoming atmosphere for veterans seeking an array of services to assist in their readjustment. Kathryn Roy’s article in… Read More
Matt Mitchell’s 100 Faces of War Experience fills the gallery at the National Veterans’ Art Museum in Chicago (http://www.nvam.org/upcoming-100-faces-of-war). The 100 full sized portraits convey images of a cross section of those who have served in the war zone in Iraq and Afghanistan. I recently had a chance to visit the exhibit. Stunning! As I… Read More
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is leading the call for Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to lift his hold on the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for America’s Veterans (SAV) Act, so that it can proceed to the Senate for a vote. The legislation passed through the house with broad bipartisan support. The Clay Hunt… Read More