Selected Resources
The following online resources provide a wealth of information and tools primarily focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). There are websites for both health care providers and patients, with each providing links to additional helpful resources.
Select Veterans Administration (VA) Resources
National Center for PTSD Professional Section This comprehensive resource offered by the VA offers access to training material, information and tools to assist health care providers with assessment and treatment of PTSD. Select resources from this site include:
- Screening for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Primary Care: A Systematic Review To minimize treatment delays and to maximize population reach, the VA established a screening program to identify PTSD in their patients as they present in primary care clinics.
- PTSD Overview Reviews statistics and history of PTSD, diagnostic criteria, treatment factors, and much more.
- Printable Materials Includes handouts and posters that can be used to increase awareness and educate about PTSD for families, military personnel and others.
- Military Exposures Provides information on a variety chemical, physical, and environmental hazards military personnel may have been exposed to during service.
- Women Who Served in Our Military: Insights for Interventions A 70-minute video presenting perspectives regarding women who have served in the military, how they are impacted by stress and treatment options.
- Online Iraq War Clinician Guide A Department of Defense manual published to address the needs of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.
- Working with Families Resources for spouses, children and other family members of patients with PTSD and how to incorporate the family in treatment plans.
- Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD Information on veterans affected by TBI; classification, diagnosis, treatment, and family issues.
- PTSD Coach Mobile App An award-winning mobile application designed to complement professional health services and help patients manage symptoms.
Additional Resources
In addition to the VA resources noted above, the following offer many practical resources and tools as well as access to related sites.
- AANP Joining Forces Ready Reference Card Describes major health concerns of military personnel and their families, suggests questions to ask patients while gathering medical histories, and lists helpful resources.
- Citizen Soldier Support Home to an initiative providing resources related to “citizen soldiers,” who serve in our Reserve and National Guard, including many designed to increase access to improved health care.
- War Within Provides a database through which users can identify health care providers who accept service members in need of assessment or treatment. The site also provides means through which health care providers may register in the database.
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress Provides a range of resources, including the Courage to Care Collection, a continuous publication with issues for patients and providers. Traumatic Brain Injury: Helping Service Members and Families is an example.
- Mental Health America Provides resources to help all people live mentally healthier lives, including those addressing issues among soldiers and their families.
- Operation Healthy Reunions Includes resources designed to promote healthy reunions between soldiers and their spouses/children, while adjusting after war.
- Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Provides extensive resources for service members, families and clinicians on psychological health and TBI.
- After Deployment Provides a range of resources on topics ranging from PTSD, TBI, stress, health and wellness, work adjustment, and much more.
- Make the Connection Connects veterans with information, resources and solutions to issues affecting their health, well-being and everyday lives.