When the War Comes Home:
WELLNESS CONFERENCE
Held Saturday & Sunday, August 16-17, 2008
Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center
1616 Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska
Offered for returning veterans, veterans’ families, military health and community mental health
and substance abuse counselors
In Nebraska nearly 3,000 veterans have returned from an overseas deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Research has shown that the frequency and intensity of exposure to combat experiences is strongly associated with the risk of behavioral health problems such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, Suicide, Substance Abuse and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). In addition, these experiences can lead to a number of primary care issues such as hearing loss, chronic pain, weight gain and sexual dysfunction.
Conferemce Objectives
- Identify behavioral health challenges of returning veterans and their family members; specifically PTSD, suicide, sexual assault and domestic violence.
- Recognize health trends that can influence the demand and structure of communities’ healthcare services.
- Connect local health care providers and military personnel in effort to increase early detection and response addressing health problems.
- Develop an understanding of potential health and medical service needs within your local communities.
Conference Reports
Conference Presentations
Combat Stress & PTSD - Jim Rose, Pa-C OEF/OIF Outreach Team, Dept. of Veterans Affairs
At Risk Behavior In Returning Combat Veterans - Lori Wardlow, LMSW, OEF/OIF Program/Case Manager, VA Nebraska/Western Iowa Healthcare System
Not Me...Exposing the Barriers to Getting Help - Mary Thompson
Veteran And Family Resources - Bonnie Bessler, Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA)
Sexual Trauma - Joyce Heger, LCSW; LMHP, VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System
It’s Good To Be Home…Isn’t It? - Blaine Shaffer, M.D., Chief Clinical Officer, Division of Behavioral Health, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services