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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) App Helps Thousands
Department of Veterans Affairs ^ | May 17, 2011 | VA Office of Public Affairs

Posted on 07/20/2011 8:17:23 PM PDT by JohnBrownUSA

WASHINGTON – The PTSD Coach smartphone application (app), launched in April by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD), has already helped more than 5,000 users connect with important mental health information and resources.

“This new tool is about helping Veterans and Servicemembers when and where they need it,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We are encouraged so many have already downloaded this resource and hope many more will utilize this convenient tool to access VA services.”

Since its launch, the PTSD Coach app has been downloaded by thousands of individuals. While 96 percent of the users so far are located in the United States, the app has also been downloaded in 25 other countries. The app lets users track their PTSD symptoms, links them with public and personalized sources of support, provides accurate information about PTSD, and teaches helpful strategies for managing PTSD symptoms on the go.

Currently, the PTSD Coach app has received perfect customer review scores on the iTunes App Store. Comments from Veterans and family members are overwhelmingly positive and one user describes the app as “a must for every spouse who has a family member with PTSD.” Professionals have sent positive reviews, suggestions and offers to collaborate on research evaluating the PTSD Coach app.

The app has also already proven to be a useful tool for the staff at the Veterans Crisis Line. Within the first two hours of the app’s official launch, the Crisis Line staff were contacted by a distressed Veteran who reported being instructed by the app to call the crisis line and was subsequently given an appointment at the local VA medical center. Crisis Line staff have begun to regularly recommend this resource to callers.

(Excerpt) Read more at va.gov ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: military; ptsd; va; veterans
Mobile App: PTSD Coach http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/PTSDcoach.asp

This App might mean the difference between life and death for a military veteran in psychological distress.

'It takes the strength and courage of a warrior to ask for help.'

1 posted on 07/20/2011 8:17:35 PM PDT by JohnBrownUSA
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To: JohnBrownUSA

The e-nurse.


2 posted on 07/20/2011 8:22:32 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (There's gonna be a Redneck Revolution!)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

Right on! :)


3 posted on 07/20/2011 8:23:30 PM PDT by JohnBrownUSA (Don't Tread On Me!)
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To: JohnBrownUSA

Android Market - PTSD Coach
https://market.android.com/details?id=gov.va.ptsd.ptsdcoach&feature=search_result

Price: FREE


4 posted on 07/20/2011 8:26:20 PM PDT by JohnBrownUSA (Don't Tread On Me!)
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To: JohnBrownUSA

I have a nephew in law who could use this. I’ve sent it too my niece’s fb page. Thanks for the post!!!!


5 posted on 07/20/2011 8:27:47 PM PDT by MsLady (Be the kind of woman that when you get up in the morning, the devil says, "Oh crap, she's UP !!")
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To: MsLady

Awesome, I’m glad to help! :)


6 posted on 07/20/2011 8:34:25 PM PDT by JohnBrownUSA (Don't Tread On Me!)
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To: JohnBrownUSA

Thank you for posting this...


7 posted on 07/20/2011 8:39:38 PM PDT by Raven6 (What we need: More people that can shoot like Tennesseans and fight like Texans!)
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To: Raven6

You’re very much welcome! :)


8 posted on 07/20/2011 8:41:57 PM PDT by JohnBrownUSA (Don't Tread On Me!)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
After hoping the VA would help my son conquer the PTSD ghosts, I gave up. They are worthless.

But we got him a companion dog with our own money. That was 4 months ago. It has worked wonders.

The VA has stiffed my son for almost a year now. I will happy just to have them out of our life. Just a bunch of bureaucrats.

God, but do we love that dog. Consider one, if you have a loved one with PTSD.

9 posted on 07/20/2011 8:58:48 PM PDT by CT
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To: CT

A bunch of bureaucrats that think they can do everything on a shoestring, and if they can’t fix it then you gotta be faking or sumfin.

There’s something comforting about large dogs to people who have seen a lot of trouble. Oh, I know the Viking Kitties beg to differ.


10 posted on 07/21/2011 12:45:31 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (There's gonna be a Redneck Revolution!)
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To: JohnBrownUSA

I have no doubt many will benefit from this program.

Many others, who need only temporary treatment will lose their gun rights, possible for the rest of their lives. That issue alone will prevent many from taking advantage of needed treatment. I have to question the validity of some parts of the program.

Yes, there is a process for restoring gun rights for those that have lost them, but I’ve not heard many reports of that actually happening.


11 posted on 07/21/2011 2:22:35 AM PDT by 1_Of_We
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To: 1_Of_We

I totally agree! It’s a real concern for anybody with a DSM-IV mental health diagnosis from the VA.

Here’s a thread of similar concerns, if you haven’t read it already.

The Gun Control in ObamaCare
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2696254/posts


12 posted on 07/21/2011 2:34:22 AM PDT by JohnBrownUSA (Don't Tread On Me!)
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