Annual Report - Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

New Center Focuses on Deployment-Related Mental Health CarePhysical wounds are sometimes notthe only injuries sustained by militarypersonnel. Combat trauma, PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) andchallenges related to reintegrationafter deployment can be seriousissues that require specializedcare. Deployment also can be asignificant stress on family members.The new USU Center for DeploymentPsychology (CDP) plays a key role inthe Military Health System’s approachto dealing with mental health effects ofdeployment on service members and their families.The American Psychological Association workedclosely with Congress to establish the programat the university. The Congressionally fundedprogram will educate military and civilianhealth care professionals about how to provideappropriate and effective care for deploymentrelatedmental health issues. The Center’smission is to develop a well-trained cadre ofpsychologists, psychiatrists and social workers totreat members of the military community.CSTS Associate Director Stephen Cozza, M.D.,contributed to the development, by SesameWorkshop, of a new outreachkit designed to help youngchildren of service members dealeffectively with the stresses of(left to right) Dr. Charles L. Rice, President, USU; Dr. Cynthia Belar,American Psychological Association; Congressman C.W. BillYoung; Dr. David Riggs, Director, CDP; Dr. David Krantz, Chair,USU Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology.Helping Families During Military Deployment23CDP staff are developing and conductingbehavioral health courses, instituting research,making recommendations and drafting proposalsthat to support deployment-related policies andprogram development. They are also working toincrease awareness regarding deployment-relatedbehavioral health needs among service membersand their families. CDP is working closely withother USU programs including the esteemedCenter for the Study of Traumatic Stress, as wellas well-known researcher David Krantz, Ph.D.,Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicaland Clinical Psychology.military deployments. Titled “Talk, Listen, Connect:Helping Families During Military Deployment,”the kit addresses the challenges and concernschildren experience during various stages ofdeployment, and includes a DVD featuring theSesame Street Muppets.Courage to Care for MeIn 2007, CSTS launched the Courage to Care for Me campaign as part of their broadlysuccessful Courage to Care initiative—a health communication campaign designed toeducate professionals and laypersons in a timely manner about topics related to militaryuniquehealth care, homeland security and national health issues. Courage to Care for Meis designed to raise awareness of the strength and courage required in parenting duringstressful times. The goal is to help clinicians and family advocacy professionals reinforcethe values of positive parenting, especially to new mothers in military settings.A Courage to Care For Me “onesie” is imprinted with the campaign logo andaccompanied by a tag that asks “Why Courage?” The tag explains that parentingduring times of war involves courage at home, just as on the battlefield.