Serving The Nation: This fall I had the opportunity to attend the American Academy of Nursing 2017 Leadership Luncheon during which Sheila Burke moderated the inspirational panel discussion "Aspire to Achieve." During her career, Sheila has held a number of key leadership positions including chief of staff for U.S. Senator Robert Dole and is currently on the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University (USU). The two panelists were Mary Wakefield and Sylvia Trent-Adams. Mary served as Acting Deputy Secretary of HHS under President Obama and Sylvia was Acting USPHS Surgeon General. A key message delivered by both of the speakers was the importance of constantly focusing upon one's underlying mission. Ask -- What is best for the patient or targeted program/population? Not -- How can I advance my own profession? Nursing and psychology have much to bring to the public policy table. Yet, both professions still have to educate others by being actively involved in solving real societal problems.
In what was perhaps one of the most visionary developments for APA during the past year, Interim CEO Cynthia Belar established the Office of Director of Military and Veterans Health Policy and appointed Heather O'Beirne Kelly, who has worked for APA for nearly two decades, as its first director. This decision was widely supported by our public sector colleagues and especially those working for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) which is the largest employer (and trainer) of psychologists. Having served for nearly four decades on Capitol Hill, we have been extremely impressed by the extent to which Heather has been able to capitalize upon this opportunity to expand psychology's collective contributions to the wellbeing of our nation's Veterans and, perhaps equally importantly, the Congress's appreciation of the profession. It is without question, a national public health tragedy that the VA still reports that every day 20 Veterans commit suicide; a clinical situation for which psychology and nursing have considerable expertise to offer.
"It was an honor to attend The Science of Veteran Suicide: VA Research in Prevention and Intervention at the U.S. Capitol, hosted by the Friends of VA Medical Care and Health Research (FOVA) and the APA. It was a special privilege to meet the new VA Deputy Secretary, Thomas Bowman, and receive the most up-to-date vision of the VA in caring for Veterans at risk for suicide. The state of the science on Veteran suicide prevention provided by key VA scientists was especially relevant to me as a Ph.D. student in the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing at USU, as an active duty USAF Officer, and as a Veteran of OEF/OIF. The presentation highlighted current work related to the critical factors of traumatic brain injury, sleep disorders, primary care encounters, and smartphone apps in the prevention of Veteran suicides. Key findings presented on the association between sleep disturbance and suicide offer a potential biological intervention target for presenting suicide among affected Veterans. The association of TBI, hopelessness, and suicide found among combat Veterans also offer an avenue for interrupting the negative psychological processes which contribute to suicidal ideation.
"From the prevention perspective, decreasing isolation and engaging Veterans is being undertaken by the VA through innovative smartphone apps which provide instant access to emotional regulation tools outside the clinic. Overall an emphasis is being placed by the VA on developing trusting collaborative relationships between Veterans and providers to focus on ways to cope with the underlying feelings of hopelessness and loss of purpose during life transitions. The big takeaway from this presentation is that Veteran suicide prevention is a multi-faceted issue which requires a biopsychosocial scientific approach and the collaborative efforts of the VA, DOD, and our whole society. Veterans will always carry the physical and psychological wounds of war, but we all carry the responsibility of ensuring they do not endure this burden alone and without hope" (Maj. Sarah Huffman, USAF).
A subsequent Capitol Hill event Heather also facilitated: "I was sincerely moved by the documentary film, Served Like a Girl. Although I had heard of the Ms. Veteran America pageant, I had no idea that it arose from homelessness among female Vets, 55,000 even today. Viewing the film with the pageant's founder, the film director, and three of the featured Veterans was especially meaningful. During the post-film Q&A session, MAJ. Jaspen Boothe, the founder of the pageant and Final Salute Inc. (http://www.finalsaluteinc.org/ and http://www.msveteranamerica.org/) explained why she chose a pageant as her organization's primary event. After serving honorably and battling cancer, MAJ. Boothe was released from active duty and quickly realized the staggering shortage of social services available to female veterans. Vowing to 'never leave a fallen comrade behind,' she started the Ms. Veteran American pageant because she recognized that many Veterans miss the 'tribe' mentality when their military service is over. She needed to create a 'tribe' that would welcome any female Veteran to be supported, encouraged, and reminded that she still had so much to offer, and to remind society that women are Veterans too. The personal stories of tragedy and triumph featured in the film are incredibly thoughtful, heartbreaking, and heartwarming at the same time. I encourage everyone to view a screening of the film or watch it on PBS next year. And remember that women have truly been serving in combat for decades" (Capt. Michelle Binder, USAF). Several psychologists were present, including former APA President Ron Fox, former APA Congressional Science Fellow Andrea Solarz, and Veterans advocate Nate Ainspan.
Easter Seals has a long and admirable history of advocating for and providing exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. CDR Eric Pauli of the GSN faculty and I had the opportunity to attend the Opening Celebration of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easter Seals. Behavioral health care – Accessible services for Veterans and their families. Some Veterans need extra support and care when leaving the military. Easter Seals Veteran Staffing Network goes above and beyond helping these Veterans find not just jobs, but a stable community. USAF Veteran psychologist Tracy Neal-Walden serves as senior vice president and director of the clinic. On her staff, Jessica Dunham: "I provide individual, couples, and family therapy services to Veterans and their families. Treatment includes delivery of EBPs (CBT, CBT-D, CBT-1, PE, CPT, EMDR, IRT) covering a wide range of mental health conditions, including primarily depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, adjustment issues, grief and loss, family issues, transition challenges, relationship problems, and children's behavioral problems. Anyone who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, regardless of role, discharge status, or combat experience is eligible for care. Family members include parents, siblings, spouses/partners, children, caregivers or others. All Veterans and their families are eligible for treatment, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Intake screenings are completed same day via phone, with a follow-up initial appointment scheduled within one week." We were particularly pleased with the extent to which the clinic has embraced tele-behavioral health, as well as their commitment to establish collaborative research-practice partnerships to improve the adoption and dissemination of research that will lead to a continuous evolution of mental health services. "We pay ourselves the highest tribute" (Thurgood Marshall). Aloha,
Pat DeLeon, former APA President – Division 42 – November, 2017
