Comments on: Master’s Learner MHC in HS http://joiningforcesamerica.org/2008/10/27/masters-learner-mhc-in-hs/ Community support for returning servicemembers Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:36:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Michelle Coleman http://joiningforcesamerica.org/2008/10/27/masters-learner-mhc-in-hs/#comment-89 Michelle Coleman Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:45:09 +0000 http://joiningforcesamerica.org/?p=67#comment-89 Great question! Military One Source is a great resource that is often not accessed enough. Any military member can call a confidential 800 number in order to access their number and are asked some basic information in order to verify if they are eligible for services. Services are available to all active duty or reservists. The soldier or family member will be authorized 6 sessions and referred to a civilian mental health professional in their community in order to address any personal issue. This service is based on the EAP model of Corporate America. Great question! Military One Source is a great resource that is often not accessed enough. Any military member can call a confidential 800 number in order to access their number and are asked some basic information in order to verify if they are eligible for services. Services are available to all active duty or reservists. The soldier or family member will be authorized 6 sessions and referred to a civilian mental health professional in their community in order to address any personal issue. This service is based on the EAP model of Corporate America.

]]> By: Will Wilson http://joiningforcesamerica.org/2008/10/27/masters-learner-mhc-in-hs/#comment-70 Will Wilson Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:22:49 +0000 http://joiningforcesamerica.org/?p=67#comment-70 Interesting question. In the division of the American Psychological Association that I currently lead, we have expressed considerable concern for the plight of the G, L, and T military members who have all the current burdens of the military -- as well as potential fear due to the "Don't Tell, Don't Ask" policy We have conducted interactions and surveys with active duty psychologists who report understanding and compassion as well as local authority to over ride the reporting requirement. The word out there in the field seems to be that it is really not an issue. But look at it from the point of view of the G, L, B service member. There has to be fear. If there is concerns that the local military mental health services might report, there are large groups of practitioners willing to provide service, either free or at a reduced cost. I can put you in touch with some of these. Will will.wilson@capella.edu Interesting question.

In the division of the American Psychological Association that I currently lead, we have expressed considerable concern for the plight of the G, L, and T military members who have all the current burdens of the military — as well as potential fear due to the “Don’t Tell, Don’t Ask” policy

We have conducted interactions and surveys with active duty psychologists who report understanding and compassion as well as local authority to over ride the reporting requirement.

The word out there in the field seems to be that it is really not an issue.

But look at it from the point of view of the G, L, B service member. There has to be fear.

If there is concerns that the local military mental health services might report, there are large groups of practitioners willing to provide service, either free or at a reduced cost.

I can put you in touch with some of these.

Will

will.wilson@capella.edu

]]> By: Will Wilson http://joiningforcesamerica.org/2008/10/27/masters-learner-mhc-in-hs/#comment-66 Will Wilson Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:06:17 +0000 http://joiningforcesamerica.org/?p=67#comment-66 That's a great question and an issue of concern. I was on a GLBT Task Force for APA. Our job was to assess the availability of mental health services to GLBT military members. Our work found that the active duty practitioners thought it was not a problem and basically ignored the "don't tell, don't ask" issue. The also believed that the issue was being managed at the local level without negative effects on military members. However, that was not the view held by GLBT vets and military members. They had the fear that there would be some form or retribution towards they. What a dilemma. The GLBT vets are fearful; the providers say, no sweat. Its a bad mix. The vets already have transition and adjustment problems and on tp of it, they fear the "system". As we gave found, vets of all persuasions do not go back for counseling or assistance, however, those who do are quite satisfied with what they find. There are increasing number of non-uniformed mental health practitioners and counselors willing to provide help. That would certainly be a place where I would go if I was i that situation. There have also been GLBT groups who know where to get help and how to support each other. I might take a look on line to see if any of those would be helpful. Here is a site that might help: http://aver.us/aver/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=80 Another: http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/1151/enter.html Vets always seek out veterans first. Maybe all the other things and worries don't count. We need to look after each other - after all, we have been through a lot. That’s a great question and an issue of concern.

I was on a GLBT Task Force for APA. Our job was to assess the availability of mental health services to GLBT military members.

Our work found that the active duty practitioners thought it was not a problem and basically ignored the “don’t tell, don’t ask” issue. The also believed that the issue was being managed at the local level without negative effects on military members.

However, that was not the view held by GLBT vets and military members. They had the fear that there would be some form or retribution towards they.

What a dilemma. The GLBT vets are fearful; the providers say, no sweat. Its a bad mix. The vets already have transition and adjustment problems and on tp of it, they fear the “system”.

As we gave found, vets of all persuasions do not go back for counseling or assistance, however, those who do are quite satisfied with what they find.

There are increasing number of non-uniformed mental health practitioners and counselors willing to provide help. That would certainly be a place where I would go if I was i that situation.

There have also been GLBT groups who know where to get help and how to support each other. I might take a look on line to see if any of those would be helpful.

Here is a site that might help: http://aver.us/aver/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=80

Another:
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/1151/enter.html

Vets always seek out veterans first. Maybe all the other things and worries don’t count. We need to look after each other - after all, we have been through a lot.

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