Memorial Day 2016
by Leigh-Ann Renz, 5.28.16
In recognition of Memorial Day, we at PIMSY EMR would like to honor the Veterans and active service members who serve and protect us all. We also salute enlisted families and military support staff. May you have a safe and happy Memorial Day and make space for reflection and thankfulness on this important holiday.
Veterans + Military Mental / Behavioral Health
Family members and personnel working with troops are often not equipped to engage veterans with mental health needs and / or addictions. In addition to the veteran themselves, each has a circle of family (significant other, children, parents, siblings, etc.) – and friends – who are all impacted by their military service.
Mental Health First Aid
“30% of active duty and reserve military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have a mental health condition requiring treatment – approximately 730,000 men and women, with many experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression. Sadly, less than 50% of returning veterans in need receive any mental health treatment.”
Mental Health First Aid is a training protocol resource that helps provide support for mental + behavioral health needs. Individuals trained in Mental Health First Aid can help to:
- Break down the stigma associated with mental health needs such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance usage disorders
- Connect to those individuals who are reluctant to seek help and therefore suffer silently
- Provide Community Resources
- Help make mental health treatment accessible to those in need
“[Military-Veteran Mental Health First Aid] is definitely a class that I would recommend to anyone in a situation to respond to military members crisis. I feel better equipped to assist in mental health incidents since attending.”
Check out the details on the Mental Health First Aid website – and via their fact sheet. See our Veterans Resource Center for more information.
Leigh-Ann Renz is the Marketing & Business Development Director of PIMSY mental health EHR.
