Military Pathways Offers Anonymous Self-Assessments for PTSD
Online, June 18, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month is underway, and Military Pathways is encouraging service members, veterans, and their families to take advantage of the free self-assessment tool available at http://www.mindbodystrength.org to determine if their symptoms of stress might deserve medical attention.
The self-assessment asks users to answer a set of four questions and provide some basic demographic information. After completing the assessment, respondents receive feedback as to whether their symptoms are consistent with symptoms of PTSD, as well as a list of resources for how and where to get further evaluation and help. Visitors to the site can also access a host of articles, videos and other helpful information.
Veteran Will Terry who served in Afghanistan and Iraq recalls his own experience with PTSD. "When I came home, I couldn't sit near a window, be near loud traffic or stand people to walk up behind me," Terry said. He got help for his PTSD in 2007 and now enjoys an active life that includes leadership roles and involvement in veterans' activities, and he recently graduated from college. "I want people to know that they don't have to suffer from PTSD. There is treatment out there and they can live a better life once they access it," said Terry.
The self-assessment tool offered by Military Pathways provides service members with a quick, confidential method to determine if medical intervention may be needed. It is important to note that only a health care provider can diagnose PTSD after a thorough medical evaluation. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, hypersensitivity and emotional numbness. However, when those symptoms linger and interfere with work or social life, it is important to seek medical assistance to determine if PTSD might be a factor.
About Military Pathways
Military Pathways gives service personnel and their families the opportunity to learn more about mental health and alcohol use through anonymous self-assessments offered online. The program is designed to help individuals identify symptoms and access assistance before a problem becomes serious. The self-assessments address alcohol use, PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and a brief screening for adolescent depression. The program is run by the nonprofit Screening for Mental Health, Inc. and is funded by the Department of Defense with support from the National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2health.org).
- ### -