June is
PTSD
Awareness Month
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In This Issue
- Understanding PTSD: Broader Than A Single Experience
- PTSD Awareness Calendar
- VSO Spotlight - NCServes
- PTSD Resources
- Clinic Outreach Coordinator Receives AmericaServes Scholarship
- COVID-19 Updates
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Understanding PTSD:
Broader Than A Single Experience
by Imani Johnson, LCSW, LCAS-A
Psychotherapist
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As I was asked to write a brief article for PTSD awareness month, I internally grappled with what I wanted to convey. As an African American clinician serving clients in the midst of racial injustice, social unrest, and a global pandemic, I found it challenging to be both carefully informative yet concise.
Though the societal problems we have collectively faced have been increasingly challenging within recent years, the past few months have shed light on many existing vulnerabilities and inequalities across social, economic, and racial lines. Many people that have rarely if ever faced trauma on an individual level, have undoubtedly witnessed it on a collective scale. The words “I can’t breathe” have taken on new meaning in the wake of both increasing infections of the novel Coronavirus and the deaths of unarmed African Americans faced with unfathomable police brutality.
In essence, these issues have become etched in our psyches and have caused us to view our lives and normal routines in vastly different ways. Daily life for so many people has been unexpectedly shifted due to social distancing, imposed curfews, and having to navigate Zoom, Google Duo, and other video conferencing platforms to communicate with those we care about.
The nearly 19-year long War in Afghanistan, the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, the COVID-19 pandemic, countless mass shootings, an opioid epidemic, an economic recession, and increasing severe weather due to climate change are all pressing issues that have taken a toll on our collective consciousness nationally and internationally. All of these concerns either directly or indirectly impact us on multiple levels - emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, socially, vocationally, and financially. However, the emotional and psychological toll can be much greater and acutely traumatic for some.
Trauma is a powerful emotional response to experiencing or witnessing a distressing event such as war, abuse, a natural disaster, an accident, or the sudden loss of a loved one. When describing it to my clients, I often liken trauma to an open psychological or emotional wound that continues to cause pain and duress until it is thoroughly examined and healed. More specifically, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that follows direct or indirect exposure to an overwhelming, shocking, distressing, or life-threatening event. The main features are intrusive thoughts including flashbacks and nightmares, avoidance of trauma reminders, hyperarousal, and negative thoughts, feelings, and internal beliefs.
In clinical practice when working with individual clients, trauma treatment usually begins with psychoeducation followed by deep breathing, grounding and other relaxation exercises. On a collective level, with mezzo and macro social work practice in mind, in order for true healing to take place, adequately educating people about trauma and the aforementioned pertinent issues is imperative. Also, a collective mindful way for us to engage in honest dialogue without avoidance, pose the hard questions for exploration, release our frustrations, manage the stress we have experienced, and finally breathe unhindered, must also be a part of the strategic treatment plan of action if we want to see true recovery in the wake of our collective PTSD symptoms.
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With 15 years of combined, prior experience as a Qualified Professional (QP), Family Case Manager and Clinical Social Worker in both the Georgia and North Carolina systems of Mental Health and Human Services, Imani has had the privilege of working with adults, couples, children, families and groups with compassion and professionalism. Imani has a Master of Science in Christian Psychological Studies from Richmont University in Atlanta, GA and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, a specialized modality for the treatment of trauma.
Specialties: Trauma focused, Spirituality, Cultural Sensitivity, Teens, Couples, Adults.
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VA PTSD Awareness Calendar
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NCServes-A Cutting Edge Tool to Connect Veterans and Service Members with Resource Providers
NCServes is a high-quality case management tool that connects service providers with veterans and military families by utilizing an easy-to-use online platform. The process is confidential, safe and highly effective.
NCServes is operated by the nationwide network of
AmericaServes operated by UniteUs and is the country's first coordinated system of public, private and non-profit organizations working together to serve the military and veterans communities.
Assistance for individuals looking for services can be accomplished in 3 ways; they can enter a request online, make a call or submit a request through the organization that they are working with to locate resources.
A separate user interface is provided to organizations who are listed providers in the system. NCServes enables them to both receive and submit referrals and monitor the process in real time.
There is not a fee for using NCServes, and listed service providers are vetted, required to go through user training and to comply with requirements established for all organizational users that include commitment to excellent customer service and timely processing.
NCServes is available to residents of North Carolina and is divided into 4 main regions:
- NCServes Central Carolinas covering the Fayetteville, Raleigh and Greensboro regions
- NCServes Coastal covering the Jacksonville, Goldsboro and nearby coastal areas
- NCServes Metrolina covering Charlotte and the surrounding areas
- NCServes Western covering the Asheville and surrounding areas
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For those who suffer from or care for someone with PTSD the following organizations provide programs and services to assist you.
This platform offers a free, completely anonymous online social community, which is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week where people can go to connect with others living with PTSD
This Veterans Affairs link has specific information about PTSD, including assessments, information sheets for families and where to get assistance.
This newly developed link for veteran’s issues describes common mental health issues and resources for veterans and families who may be in need. An extensive list of resources is available.
Project Sanctuary helps military families thrive with six-day, therapeutic retreats and an additional two years of family support services. Their evidenced-based program is the only program that treats the entire family, helping veterans, spouses, caregivers, and kids heal together.
This organization provides educational resources to individuals diagnosed with PTSD and their loved ones; those at risk for developing PTSD, and the medical, healthcare and other frontline professionals.
This site includes meeting guidelines, rules and facilitator tips adapted from a 12-step model for starting and running local support groups.
The program provides retreats with therapeutic services to veterans and family members. Program sessions take place in a relaxing, military-friendly environment with the use the therapeutic tools that focus on restoring the mind, body and spirit.
The organization runs a variety of programs for Post-9/11 Veterans and their families, including the Combat Stress Recovery Program. It comprises of PTSD support groups, free therapy services and Project Odyssey, a multi-day outdoor adventure trip with trained counselors.
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Outreach Coordinator Receives AmericaServes Scholarship
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The $1,980 award will enable Reka to pursue the
Effective Grant Proposal Writing Certificate offered by the
University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business. Reka was chosen from a competitive pool of “many highly qualified candidates,” according the award letter. Lyndsey Hodkinson, Community of Practice Program Manager at the
Institute for Veterans and Military Families, wrote, “The decision to award your requested professional development is a reflection on our belief of your ability to bring back information gained to the Community of Practice and that you encompass the compassion and positive spirit of serving the military-connected population which was shared by Marvin, whom this scholarship was named for.”
“We are truly fortunate to have a professional of Reka’s caliber on our staff,” says clinic director Sheila Weaver. “Her passion and advocacy for veterans and their families shine through in all she does. This scholarship is evidence of how she goes above and beyond to seek opportunities to grow and to share that growth with the military community she loves.”
Congratulations, Reka!
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Through her with work with the VA and
Off-Road Outreach, Stacey Buckner saw a need for homeless, at-risk and low income Veterans in our community to have access to fresh vegetables and fruits.
To test her theory, Stacey began growing produce in her own yard and taking the harvest to the encampments where she sets up her mobile shower and laundry service. The vegetables and fruits were a hit and Stacey's vision for
Veggies for Vets was born!
With land and raised bed gardens provided by
Service Source in Fayetteville, the six bed Veggies for Vets garden will break ground with initial planting on Sat., June 27 from 8 am - 4 pm. The Cohen Clinic has adopted one of the beds for the season. We look forward to being a part of this remarkable community project and reaping the
therapeutic benefits that gardening promotes!
Volunteers are needed to help prep the garden and plant. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please wear masks and bring any gardening tools you have on hand. Social distancing will be observed. Plant donations also accepted! Along with vegetables and fruits, bee-friendly plants are also a part of the garden to help with pollination.
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Stay Ahead of the Curve:
Phase Two Reopening
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As the State slowly reopens, it is still vitally important to continue the basics like wearing face masks/coverings, practicing proper hand hygiene and adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Please see the infographic below for details on what this means for the citizens of North Carolina.
While the State of NC encourages face coverings in public, the Health System is requiring masks or face coverings for any person (staff, patients, providers, vendors, etc.) in all our facilities.
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Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at
Cape Fear Valley | 3505 Village Drive
Fayetteville, NC | 910-615-3737
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Stay connected for up-to-date information and resources
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