I just obtained a copy of a newly published book focused on the Assessment of PTSD. This book,
published last month, is titled Assessment and Treatment Planning for PTSD. Although many
Sometimes it can be good to go back to the past to better understand the future. The movie Twelve O’Clock High by Darryl F. Zanuck is a film that is worth watching more than once. It stars Gregory Peck and was filmed in 1949 post World War II. This movie was based on the novel by Beirne Lay Jr and Sy Bartlett.
People both within the DoD and in the civilian community sometimes wonder if mental health providers become involved with military recruiting. What do they do, exactly? Does the job of recruiting really need full time mental health providers involved?
In fact, all military branches have mental health providers involved with recruiting commands to work with the organizations and assist recruiters with the high demands of their jobs. In the past, recruiting duty was considered one of the highest risk jobs for mental health issues and suicides. Mental health providers embedded with this community have assisted the organization with improving the recruiting environment and helping the DoD put forward the best people for the job.
I will never forget the moment on March 8, 2006 when I was sitting in my B-Hut (Barracks Hut) in Afghanistan and opened an e-mail from my brother informing me that my mother had just experienced a medical emergency and was in the hospital in critical condition. I was beside myself! I was halfway around the world from my family, in a deployed location feeling very lonely, overwhelmed, and unable to help. I honestly did not know where to start or what to do. Thankfully, my First Sergeant told me that he was going to contact the American Red Cross for assistance.
“Do as I say, not as I do.”
How often have we given advice…wonderful, wise advice…to our patients and never once considered its relevance to ourselves? The answer to this is, of course, often, very, very often.
Clinicians routinely talk to patients about the need for balance between work and personal life, the importance of good sleep hygiene, exercise, socialization and eating well. What prevents many of us from acting on this advice?