Veterans Health [Updated 7/14]

WHYY shares veterans’ stories and explores new mental health resources for Americans who’ve served in the military.

WHYY shares veterans’ stories and explores new mental health resources for Americans who’ve served in the military.

“It’s a very disturbing thing for a veteran to know that you are telling the truth, but the frustration of not being able to prove it, and the VA says you have no claim there’s a certain level of feeling that nobody believes you.” – Marsha Four, Executive director of the Philadelphia Veterans’ Multi-Service and Education Center.Local veterans’ groups pleased with new PTSD regulations
Maiken Scott – July 14, 2010
Local Veterans groups and Veterans’ Affairs officials are applauding new federal legislation regarding benefits for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Bid to find homes for veterans brings money to region
Megan Pinto – April 1, 2010
Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy is trying to reduce the number of homeless veterans in the region. It’s part of a nationwide push by the Department of Veterans Affairs to eliminate veteran homelessness within five years.

New veterans court to open in Philadelphia
Tom MacDonald – March 3, 2010
Philadelphia’s newest specialty court is specifically aimed at military veterans.

More info:

For more on veteran’s health, see WHYY’s Impact of War page.Program aims to reach vets seeking mental health treatments
Maiken Scott – November 30, 2009
Stigma and shame continue to prevent some military veterans from seeking help for mental health issues. From the Behavioral Health Desk, Maiken Scott reports on a new program that aims to break through the barriers.

“We’re seeing young, recently discharged veterans out of the military less than six months showing up in the homeless population that we serve.” – Edward Lowry, head of the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center.Vets mental health services lagging
Maiken Scott – November 11, 2009
Veterans and their families are meeting with Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter in Philadelphia today for a Veterans Day hearing about challenges such as unemployment and homelessness. Another issue bound to come up is Mental Health care for soldiers returning from the front.

Exploring post-traumatic growth
Maiken Scott – July 27, 2009
With soldiers returning from deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan, we hear a lot about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and its treatment. Scientists and psychologists are also interested in another response connected to trauma – Post Traumatic Growth. WHYY’s Behavioral Health reporter Maiken Scott spoke to psychologist Dr. Dan Gottlieb about the importance of this phenomenon.

PA veterans homes suspend admissions
Taunya English – July 23, 2009
The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs says Pennsylvania’s six veterans homes won’t accept new patients until the state budget impasse is resolved.

Treating traumatic brain injury
Maiken Scott – March 19, 2009
As the Iraq War marks its sixth anniversary, the military is investing in research and better treatments for Traumatic Brain Injuries. Defense Department officials estimate that between 10 and 20 percent of soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan suffered traumatic brain injury. Local treatment facilities would like to be involved in their treatment.

Advancing treatment for PTSD
Taunya English – November 24, 2008
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania say they’re helping to modernize the care available to veterans struggling with the emotional problems.

Sexual trauma hikes PTSD risk
Taunya English – November 21, 2008
In recent years, post traumatic stress disorder has gained recognition as a risk linked to military service, but mental health providers say emerging research combat is not the only military experience that can lead to PTSD.

When police confront veterans in crisis
by Taunya English – November 17, 2008
As soldiers return to Pennsylvania, home from the war, mental health advocates say unrecognized mental illness sometimes fuels violence, inappropriate behavior and brushes with the law.

Living with post traumatic stress disorder
by Kyle Schmoyer – November 12, 2008
Long after the somber ceremonies of Veterans Day are over many veterans will go home and continue to deal with medical problems stemming from their time spent in war.

Helping health workers help veterans
by Taunya English – November 11, 2008
A series of online training videos is helping health care providers understand the issues veterans commonly face when they return from military service.

Help for Struggling Veterans
by Taunya English – October 10, 2008
About 120 Pennsylvania therapists and counselors are donating their time to a mental health program for veterans and their families. Friday Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak recognized the Give an Hour program and urged military personnel to seek out help when they need it.

War vets face increased risks of heart disease
by Maiken Scott – July 10, 2008
A new study examined a possible link between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD and Heart disease in veterans – and found strong evidence that the two are connected. From WHYY’s Behavioral Health Desk, Maiken Scott reports.