Free 2014 Albuquerque PTSD Wellness Conference for Veterans, Guard/Reserve, Active-Duty Personnel - Sept. 13

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 18 August 2014 18 August 2014

Free $40 Walmart Gift Card for First 50 to Pre-Register

Saturday, September 13 (8am-5pm/7am Registration)
Albuquerque Crowne Plaza Hotel
1901 University Blvd. NE (at Menaul Blvd.)

(ALBUQUERQUE, NM)—Healing the battle-scarred veteran and his or her family is the focus of the free 2014 New Mexico Veterans' PTSD Wellness Conference in Albuquerque on Saturday, September 13 from 8am-5pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Veterans, National Guard, Reserve and active-duty personnel and their spouses, family members and caregivers are also encouraged to attend. Those who could not attend the June Wellness Conference in Roswell or would like to learn about additional available services are strongly encouraged to attend.

The innovative conference is presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services in cooperation with the New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative, the New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS), Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS), the New Mexico National Guard (NMNG), and the Museum of the American Military Family.

The morning session will be devoted exclusively to the Brothers at War Resiliency Workshop, which focuses on helping veterans to reintegrate into civilian life. The documentary movie Brothers at War will be shown—an intimate portrait of an American family nearly torn apart by war. Filmmaker Jake Rademacher sought to understand the experience, sacrifice and motivation of his two brothers who fought in the Iraq War. The movie follows Jake's exploits as he risks his life to tell the story of his brothers.

The movie offers a stunning glimpse at the bonds and service of soldiers—and the profound effects of their service upon the loved ones left at home. It ultimately follows the return home of Jake's brothers—and how their separation and life-threatening service sent ripples through their extended family—affecting their parents, siblings, wives and children.

Jake will then conduct an interactive Instruction & Workbook Session and open discussion following the movie screening.

After a free hot-plated lunch served at the hotel, the afternoon sessions will focus on services and programs available for veterans and their families who may be affected by
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other post service-related behavioral issues.

Representatives from PMS' Veteran and Family Support Services (VFSS) Program, the NMNG's State Family/Yellow Ribbon Support Program, and the Access to Recovery (ATR) program highlighting additional non-VA services and programs available for veterans and their families.

NMVAHCS Clinical Psychologist Dr. Diane Castillo, PhD. will then conclude the conference with a comprehensive presentation showcasing the available Evidence-Based Psychotherapies utilized by the VA to recognize and treat PTSD. Dr. Castillo will also show how to recognize and monitor combat-related "stressors" which, if left unrecognized, could lead to more serious PTSD-related complications.

As an incentive to encourage attendance for the conference, a free $40 Wal-Mart Gift Card will be given to the first 50 Veterans, Guard/Reserve and active-duty personnel who pre-register. Veterans must show their Veteran-designation state driver's license, DD-214, VA Health card or other valid proof of military separation at the conference in order to collect the gift card. Active-duty personnel must show a valid DoD identification card. Non-veteran or non-active-duty spouses, family members or caregivers are not eligible for the gift card.

Nationwide, the VA estimates up to 20% of Veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may be suffering from PTSD—though the number could be higher because many may be undiagnosed due to a veteran's unwillingness to seek help.

Doors open for registration and check-in at 7am. The Crowne Plaza Hotel is located at 1901 University Boulevard NE (at Menaul Blvd). Though the conference is free, early registration is strongly recommended. For more information and to pre-register, contact Theresa Zuni at (505) 841-5346 or theresa.zuni@state.nm.us

 

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