Deployment Psychology Blog

Staff Voices: A Look at Chaplaincy and Mental Health in the VA and DoD

By Diana Sermanian  on 24.07.2013 7:42 am

In graduate school I was interested in the role of child abuse and spirituality/religiousness on psychological health. I examined the impact of child abuse on positive and negative religious coping among combat veterans with PTSD.  Through my clinical experience working with Veterans, I came to discover the unique role chaplains have in quality of life, especially psychological well-being. For some Veterans, it was less stigmatizing to speak with a chaplain than a mental health provider. For others, they found comfort in the confidentiality that clergy provided. Although, this was not a surprise, it highlighted the importance of mental health providers learning more about chaplaincy and possible collaboration between the disciplines.

By the Numbers - July 22, 2013

By Shirl Kennedy  on 22.07.2013 1:12 pm

2 Million

The number of children under the age of 18 who have at least one "active duty parent," according to a new report from Child Trends, a nonprofit research institute focused on "the well-being of children and youth." Of these 2 million children, roughly 500,000 are under the age of five, according to the report, Home Front Alert: The Risks Facing Young Children in Military Families.

CDP News: July 19, 2013

By Christopher Adams  on 19.07.2013 4:36 pm

It’s the end of another week, which means it’s time for CDP News! As always, we like to use this space to take a look a recent and upcoming events in and around the Center for Deployment Psychology. First off this week, we’d like to thank all of the participants and presenters at this week’s University Counseling Center Core Competency session, which was held Tuesday in Irving, Texas. It was another great program and we couldn’t have done it without all your help.

Research Update: July 18, 2013

By Shirl Kennedy  on 18.07.2013 7:42 am

The CDP's weekly research update contains the latest news, journal articles and useful links from around the web. Some of this week's topics include:
• Delivery of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy via Video Telehealth.
• Predeployment Sleep Duration and Insomnia Symptoms as Risk Factors for New-Onset Mental Health Disorders Following Military Deployment.
• Two War-Torn Soldiers: Combat-Related Trauma through an Intersubjective Lens.

Staff Voices: Review and Commentary on “Return With Honor”

By Debra Nofziger  on 17.07.2013 1:27 pm

Every year for the past five years as our new class of Army Psychology Interns arrives for orientation at Brooke Army Medical Center, we have them watch the film “Return With Honor” by filmmakers Freida Lee Mock and Terry Sanders. This is not a new film, being made in 2001 by Public Broadcasting Services. Despite this, two successive active duty training directors have considered it important enough that our new intern officers should watch. I agree with them. 

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