Legal Help for Veterans blog.
Aug
19

Veterans may benefit from mental health treatment

Mental Health, News and Press, PTSD

Nearly one-third of veterans who experience trauma are at a higher risk for depression, substance abuse or suicide even though they do not meet all the criteria for a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. The findings of a Yale study highlight the need for doctors to be vigilant when assessing and treating PTSD symptoms in […]

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Jun
28

Veterans Find Inner Peace, Alter Brain Function following University of Michigan Study

Medical Issues / Disability, Mental Health, News and Press, PTSD, Veterans Law

Kristina Derro Veteran Advocate The University of Michigan and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System teamed up to study the effects of mindfulness training among veterans suffering from PTSD; the positive results of the study came as a surprise even to the researchers. Mindfulness training can be thought of as a form of meditation and […]

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Jun
24

Veterans urged to use online tool for mental health screening

Mental Health, News and Press

Following Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the Michigan Veterans Affair Agency (MVAA) is encouraging veterans to use a free online mental health screening tool. The agency is offering the tool in collaboration with Screening for Mental Health, a nonprofit organization that provides various mental health and substance abuse resources. Veterans can use the tool […]

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May
04

How mindfulness training can help veterans with PTSD

Mental Health, News and Press, PTSD

Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often face challenges when trying to manage their symptoms. Traumatic memories keep replaying in their minds in a continuous loop, according to researchers. Traditional forms of treatment may not always prove effective for all veterans. A new study shows mindfulness training may serve as a promising way for […]

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Mar
29
Banner soldier silhouette 1

It’s time to focus on treatment of Gulf War illnesses, panel tells VA

Mental Health, News and Press

A panel of experts has urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay more attention to monitoring and treating veterans with Gulf War illnesses rather than searching for links between their health problems and environmental exposure-related causes. In a report released February 11, Institute of Medicine researchers said veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War […]

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Mar
18
Banner soldiers silhouette

MSHDA grant offers hope to Detroit’s homeless veterans

Employment, Mental Health, News and Press

One of the biggest problems that veterans face today is homelessness. In an effort to reduce homelessness among the state’s veterans in 2016, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) approved two grants on January 29. The Michigan Veterans Foundation will receive a Housing Development Fund grant of $2 million. The funds will go toward […]

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Mar
08
slideshow mother son

New measure seeks to prevent female veteran suicides

Medical Issues / Disability, Mental Health, News and Press, PTSD

Recent research has revealed female veterans face a higher risk of suicide than their male and civilian counterparts. The House passed a bill on February 9 that aims to address the alarming trend among the nation’s growing demographic. Authored by Rep. Julia Brownley, the Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act will determine which of the Department […]

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Feb
23
neurons brain

Over fifty percent of combat veterans suffer brain scarring

Claims Processing, Mental Health, PTSD

Combat veterans often return home with invisible wounds of war that can go undetected. Research published in December shows that more than half of wounded U.S. service members suffer a form of brain scarring due to blast injures. According to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, over 300,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic […]

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Feb
10
slideshow soldier silhouette

Veterans Face PTS Years After Combat

Mental Health, News and Press, PTSD, Veterans Law

New research sheds light on the lingering effects that post-traumatic stress (PTS) can have on veterans long after they have returned home from deployment. A study of 1,007 Dutch soldiers has found that PTS symptoms among Afghanistan veterans spiked in the six months immediately after their return and resurfaced with greater severity five years later. […]

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Jan
25

Survey shows thousands of wounded veterans struggle with PTS and TBI

Mental Health, PTSD

More than 75 percent of wounded veterans are battling post-traumatic stress (PTS), according to the Wounded Warrior Project’s 2015 Alumni Survey. PTS and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are two of the biggest mental health issues facing veterans today. The organization estimates that over 400,000 veterans suffer from PTS while around 320,000 are dealing with TBI. […]

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