VISN 2: Volunteer News Summer 2007

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Batavia PTSD Program Named “Special Project”

Department of New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary Pick PTSD Program as their Special Project

By William “Doc” Schmitz, Department of New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars Special Projects Chairperson and Brenda Koch, Ladies Auxiliary Special Projects Chairperson

Our service men and women dutifully serve our country and are often put in life threatening and dangerous situations. Some of our military brothers and sisters have experiences that hurt them and continue to bother them for some time. If these experiences are particularly painful and traumatic, a veteran might experience depression and anxiety that creates struggles in work, relationships, and self-esteem. Often these experiences lead to a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When challenged with PTSD, it can be a daily struggle to carry on and it may seem impossible to live a peaceful, satisfying, and healthy life. These emotional wounds of war and military service are too often left without healing. What veterans with PTSD need to know is that they can lead happier and more functional lives. Healing is possible.

In 2003, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) began offering support to the Batavia VA PTSD Program beginning with the involvement of Post 524-Corning, followed by the Southern Tier County Council and VFW District 5. New York State (NYS) VFW Department Commander, Donald Doell and Ladies Auxiliary Madam President, Martha Ferens have selected the Batavia VA PTSD Program as their 2006-2007 Special Project.

Pictured left to right: Stephen Neftleberg, VAVS Rep; Dr. Terri Julian, Western New York Program Manager for the Batavia PTSD Batavia Clinics, William “Doc” Schmitz, Special Project Chairman; Robert Barnhart, Service Vice Department Commander toured the Brooklyn VA.

Dr. Julian poses with members of the VFW and employees of the Northport VA Medical Center after a recent tour there.

This is the first time that a state-level veteran service organization has identified a particular VA clinic/program as their target of support. The goals of this project include:

Providing statewide education about PTSD

Helping veterans and their families access care

Raising money and purchasing products for the enhancement of the clinical facility and therapeutic activities.

We have been touched by this place where emotional wounds are tended to with nurturing concern and professional expertise. Veterans are welcomed home, receive professional and peer support, and help in learning and coping with the pain of their military experiences. Under the direction of Terri Julian, PhD, Western New
York PTSD Program Manager, the Batavia VA is able to offer two unique residential programs: The Jack H. Wisby, Jr. PTSD Treatment Program for male veterans suffering with PTSD due to combat and war zone experiences and The Women’s Residential Program (WRP) for female veterans who have experienced militarysexual and/or combat trauma. Both programs are located in their own building on the serene grounds of the Batavia VA. The beautiful and spacious grounds contribute to a renewed sense of personal safety and security.

These residential programs provide state-of-the art treatment for veterans who need to understand their trauma, stabilize their symptoms,

develop skills for day-to-day life and relationships, and/or work through trauma-related memories and thoughts. The programs include opportunities for individual therapy, medication management, family therapy, and group therapy. These programs help veterans develop the skills they need to re-build and maintain a healthy life.

By working with VFW, VA has had the opportunity to address various VFW and Ladies Auxiliary groups throughout the state and provide information to other NYS VAs about the programs. As of February 2007, cash donations total $32,783.27 and an estimated product value of $19,388.42. Thanks to the generous VFW and Ladies Auxiliary donations since 2003, the programs have new televisions, comfortably furnished lounges, and the provision of crafts, personal products, and opportunities for outings that contribute to the healing and overall wellness of veterans in this program. The ultimate goal that is being realized by this endeavor is the increased access of quality health care to veterans in need. This New York State VFW Award to the Batavia VA PTSD Program has demonstrated the potential power and success of the VSO-VA partnership.

For Batavia VA PTSD Program information contact:
Susan Busch, PTSD Program Assistant at
585-297- 1200. For information about donations through the VFW State Project, contact
William “Doc” Schmitz at
607-962-2126.

Reviewed/Updated Date: February 4, 2008