Veteran and Military Mental Health: A Clinical Manual

by Christopher H. Warner (Editor), Carl A. Castro (Editor)

Overview

This book addresses mental health treatment for veterans and active military personnel. In addition to examining foundational practices in the sub-field, it contains specifically tailored content concerning the recent collapse of the United States (US) installed Afghanistan government. The book is conscious of the myriad of complex emotions that veterans who fought for the past twenty years may be experiencing. 

Organized into four parts, the book begins with the foundations of veteran and military mental health culture as patients transition from active duty to veteran status, understand the present stigma and barriers to care and reflect on their deployment experience. Part two delves into the specifics of the healthcare system in which military personnel find themselves at various points in their career, including deployment and returning home. Following this, chapters examine the critically unique conditions found in patients, such as sleep disorders, traumatic brain injury,homelessness, substance abuse, and sexual trauma. The book closes with discussions on veterans and their families that focus on the effects of deployment on a military person’s loved ones and their mental state upon returning home.  

Timely, socially conscious, and comprehensive, the Clinical Manual on Veteran and Military Mental Health is an invaluable resource for mental health professionals receiving new military personnel patients and who have seen a significant shift in their patients due to recent events. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783031180095
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	03/23/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Christopher H. Warner, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

Bethesda, MD

 

Carl A Castro, Ph.D.

Professor, Suzanne Dworack-Peck School of Social Work

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

Table of Contents

Part I: Understanding the Veteran and Military Mental Health Culture.- 1. Transitioning from Military Service Member to Veteran.- 2. An Introduction to Military Culture.- 3. Enhancing Resiliency in Service Members and Military Veterans.-4. Stigma and Barriers to Care.- 5. The Deployment Experience.- 6. Understanding the Experience and Mental Health Challenges of National Guard and Reserve Service Members.- Part II: The Veteran and Military Mental Health System.- 7. Medical and Community Resources for Veterans and Military Personnel.- 8. Defining the Limits of Medical Privacy within the US Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs.- 9. Mental Health Care during Deployment.- 10. Military and Veteran Disability System.- Part III: Unique Aspects, Conditions, and Situations in Veteran and Military Mental Health.- 11. Combat and Operational Stress.- 12. PTSD in Military Service Members and Veterans.- 13. Traumatic Brain Injury.- 14. Moral Injury in a Military Context.- 15. Military Sexual Trauma.- 16. Understanding Suicide among Military Service Members and Veterans: Risk and Protective Factors, Theory, and Intervention.- 17. Substance and Prescription Misuse in Military and Veteran Populations.- 18. Sleep Disorders.- 19. Addressing Veteran Homelessness.- 20. Mental Health of LGBT Service Members and Veterans.- 21. Combating Military and Veteran Mental Health Provider Burnout and Enhancing Resiliency.- Part IV: Veteran and Military Families.- 22. Effects of Deployment on Military-Connected Children, Spouses, and Families.- 23. Combat Related Injuries and Bereavement: Effects on Military and Veteran Families and Suggested Interventions.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, PsyD (Cermak Health Services)
Description: This book discusses mental health treatment for active military personnel and veterans. It explores military culture, the Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health system, unique stressors and conditions of being in the military, and the effects of active duty and deployment on military families. The book includes recent events such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan and war in Ukraine.
Purpose: According to the preface, "the intent of this book is to provide a manual for mental health professionals to understand the culture and background which may impact their therapeutic alliance, become knowledgeable about unique resources which are available to veterans, and provide an overview of particular clinical issues which have military-specific aspects" (p. x). These are very worthy objectives, and the book meets the stated objectives.
Audience: The book is intended for mental health professionals serving military personnel patients. The book meets the needs of its intended audience. The authors are credible authorities in the subject matter; however, the book only mentions their university affiliations.
Features: The book begins by discussing the transition from active military to veteran status. While it can be very stressful, everyone's experience is different. Also, some veterans receive care at the VA, while others seek care in civilian primary care settings. Many veterans are thankful for their military experience because it taught them self-discipline and endurance. Others have suffered from traumatic experiences, making the transition to civilian life more difficult. VA hospitals provide important care, but some veterans will not seek mental health services because of the stigma attached to it. Even active-duty military may not be willing to seek care. Service members and veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have diverse experiences, but involving family members or close friends can be helpful. One critical issue is how to prevent suicide in veterans. Substance use disorders occur in military members due to isolation from family and the stress of following strict rules/regulations. Deployment can be very difficult for military-connected families. However, certain interventions are effective in decreasing these stressors. The book ends with a discussion on combat-related injuries. It is very readable and contains figures/tables, which help clarify the text. Many of the chapters begin with a vignette which elucidates the significant issues.
Assessment: This book is excellent because it describes the different facets of mental health intervention for active military and veterans. It explores the transition to civilian life and the importance of the VA health system. It also addresses the impact on family and loved ones. The book is important reading for clinicians addressing the mental health needs of military personnel and/or veterans.

Doody's Review Service