Thursday, June 04, 2009

VA Web Site helps mental health professionals, veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new Web site to strengthen the connection between college and university mental health professionals and veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts studying on their campuses.

“Many of our newest veterans are beginning their post-service lives by furthering their educations,“ said Dr. Gerald M. Cross, VA’s acting undersecretary for health. “This initiative is designed to ensure that colleges and universities are able to assist with any special mental health needs they may have.“

The Web site, mentalhealth. va.gov/College, features recommended training for college and university counselors, with online modules, including “Operation SAVE” for suicide prevention, “PTSD 101” and “Helping Students Who Drink Too Much.“ It also will feature a resource list that will be updated regularly.

Although the site is designed primarily for counselors, it also serves as a resource for veteran-students who wish to learn more about the challenges they may face in adjusting to their lives after leaving the military.

“We hope counselors and our returning veterans find this site helpful and easy to use,“ Cross said. “As the site grows, we expect it will become an increasingly valuable resource.“

The new site is one of several Web-based tools VA has developed to help veterans deal with mental health issues. Others include a guide for families of military members returning from deployment and

information about a suicide prevention hotline for veterans.