Free Classes to Help Combat Veterans Impacted by PTSD
The nonprofit PAIRS Foundation is offering free, confidential 90-minute online classes to help returning combat veterans and family members impacted by PTSD. Early intervention through effective education, strategies, and skills training is critical for active duty, reserve, guard and veterans, spouses, and family members.
Click here for a recent report on PAIRS training for Soldiers and spouses prior to deployment.
The nonprofit PAIRS Foundation will offer a series of free 90-minute online classes to help active duty, reserve, guard and veterans, spouses, and family members impacted by deployment. "PAIRS strategies and skills help Soldiers and family members address the impact of deployment, including PTSD," said Seth Eisenberg, President and CEO of PAIRS Foundation.
An estimated one in five U.S. veterans returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan are reported to have symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Eisenberg said. Symptoms include flashbacks and nightmares that may cause memory and attention problems, anxiety, irritability, depression, insomnia, isolation and withdrawal. PTSD also impacts many others; an estimated quarter of a million Americans will develop PTSD at some point in their lives after a terrifying experience, from car accidents to hurricanes, abuse, rape and other traumatic events.
Eisenberg delivered a plenary address at the "Spiritual Trauma of War" conference sponsored by the Veterans Administration in Chicago and a workshop for VA professionals on educational approaches to help couples impacted by combat deployment improve communication, emotional understanding, and strengthen marriages.
PAIRS Foundation's collaboration with the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center and other military and VA facilities nationwide are designed to help active duty, reserve, guard, veterans and family members impacted by combat deployment. The partnership with Charlie Norwood was recognized in 2009 by the Veterans Administration as "Best Practice in Marriage Enrichment."
Chaplain Ron Craddock, Chief of Chaplain Services at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, said the program is making a difference. "PAIRS is changing the lives of returning combat veterans and their spouses," he said.
Combat deployment can significantly impact couple relationships. The added impact of PTSD and TBI on many returning veterans requires urgent attention.
Feedback from a pilot group at Charlie Norwood showed a 25 percent increase in the number of couples experiencing marital distress following deployment.
Following a weekend PAIRS retreat for returning combat veterans and spouses, the percentage of couples able to effectively communicate with each other increased from 26 to 79 percent.
Laurie Ott of the CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project in Augusta, GA was one of the program sponsors. "PAIRS is exactly what we were looking for in terms of real relationship skills for combat-returned and wounded warriors and their spouses," she said. "Our survey before and after PAIRS shows a profound impact on both couples' perception of their relationship and hope for the future ... helping our heroes and their families reconnect after combat, and giving them the skills to improve their relationships and communication."
PAIRS Foundation, Inc., is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization established in 1983 to develop, refine and deliver educational programs that enhance interpersonal relationships, conduct research and train course leaders. |
