"Thoughts" 5/29/2015

Enclosed an outline of our recent PTS & TBI 8-week class. It's proven to be a very good therapy for all our vets attending and not all our combat. I hope we get some traction and they send more vets to our facility so we can build up this helpful program.
Had a handful of fresh picked strawberry's the other day. Wow! What a blessing! Most of what is grown here is sold to staff and given to the local food pantry. These are good and just uses to help people and family's. Hopefully there will be a little for us to have in the chow hall as well.
Thanks to some bosses that share what they paid for a few workers get a blessing.
And I am grateful for small blessings, they have big impact.
Phones are out today so I can't call anyone as my normal Friday. It's my day off and most of the house is at work. So it's quiet enough to enjoy the conversations. It can be real aggravating when 30-people are yelling and slamming cards and dominoes on the tables. On Saturday I'll have to skip yard to do phone calls. Oh well... it's always worth it!

[signature of William D. Linley]

Trauma Management

PTSD in Veterans: The Shadow of Combat

Group Information: Trauma Management is an 8 week educational course on PTSD management for Veterans at Graham Correctional Center.

The goal of the PTSD support group for Graham Veterans is to:

Teach about Trauma and its effects.
Use Relaxation and anger control skills.
Provide tips for better sleep, diet, and exercise habits.
Help individuals identify and deal with guilt, shame, and other feelings about the event.
Focus on changing how individuals react to their PTSD symptoms.

Week 1

Course Introduction
Course Sign-Up
What do you want to get out of the group?
Brief Discussion-Group Rules

Week 2

What is Trauma?
Symptoms of Trauma
ACES
Media
Group Discussion

Week 3

What causes trauma?
How likely is a person to develop PTSD after Trauma?
MYTHS
Media

Week 4

PTSD: The Shadow of Combat
Symptoms of PTSD
How likely is a person to develop PTSD after Trauma?
What other problems do people with PTSD experience?
Suicidality and PTSD-Prevention/Resources

Week 5

Traumatic Brain Injury
Post-Concussion Syndrome
Blast Injuries
Combat Experiences

Week 6

Media
Review
When and how to use Coping mechanisms
Relaxation techniques
Stress Management

Week 7

Interventions/Treatment Strategies
Coping Mechanisms
Safe and Supportive environment
Medications
Recovery

Week 8

VA Resources
Certificates
Discussion of Group-Closing
Surveys