Mental Health Content Topic Results

This video highlights the historical roots of the mental health consumer/survivor/ex-patient movement in the fight for women’s rights.

Since the war began in October 2001, there have been periodic reports about substance abuse, depression, domestic violence, suicide, homelessness and violent crime among traumatized veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq. High unemployment in a bad economy has merely compounded their troubles.

The U.S. Army honors soldiers wounded or killed in combat with the Purple Heart, a powerful symbol designed to recognize their sacrifice and service. Yet Army commanders have routinely denied Purple Hearts to soldiers who have sustained concussions in Iraq, despite regulations that make such wounds eligible for the medal, an investigation by NPR and ProPublica has found.

This charter represents the collaborative agreement among partners of the Domestic Violence and Mental Health Collaboration Project. The charter includes agreements on mission and values, roles and responsibilities, decision-making, conflict resolution, communications, and confidentiality.

This resource provides information about symptoms and protective factors for young children who have been exposed to trauma.

This article tells the story of Staff Sgt. James Ownbey, a Marine who served in Iraq as an explosive ordinance disposal technician in 2007, and two other deployments who now suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and numerous physical ailments.

This directive advices VA facilities on the appropriate programming and requirements for addressing MST. Of note is the directive for universal screening practices and free care for MST-related services for all veterans.

This video interview with SWAN’s Executive Director, a former marine, provides an overview of the challenges faced by female veterans while deployed and after returning to their communities. It also discusses the incidence of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and the implications of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy”. 

This issue focuses on positive change following adversity or the concept of posttraumatic growth. It provides a summary and analysis of research in this burgeoning area that brings together research from the trauma and positive psychology fields, offering another way to look at traumatic experiences focusing on the positive changes and growth that can ensue.

This testimony particularly emphasizes the societal and institutional responses to survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) that continue to place women at greater risk for further violence and isolation. This publication also sheds light on the repercussions of the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy on service women and men.

This radio interview discusses the military sexual trauma and related challenges face by a veteran who experienced sexual harassment while serving in the military. Rachel Cesar shares her story, and discusses homelessness, the pursuit of help and healing, and issues faced by women veterans specifically.

This document provides the written version of testimony provided by the Executive Director of SWAN regarding the issue of Military Sexual Trauma and the experiences of individuals working within the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs facilities and programs.