Reintegration, PTSD expert holds workshop for key personnel

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  A mental health provider for the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Program held three returning warriors workshops here March 20 to 23.

Dr. Bridget Cantrell briefed wing leadership, chaplains, mental health professionals and key spouses on the post-deployment reintegration process, highlighting signs of combat operational stress and PTSD.

"It's important leaders understand how they need to intervene at an early stage," Doctor Cantrell said. "Those who get help at an early stage do better in the long run."

Doctor Cantrell's work with combat veterans has spanned more than 20 years. In 2003 she began working with the Department of Defense. She has traveled to military bases around the world, sometimes helping units prepare for deployment and sometimes helping them reintegrate post deployment. Her work is not limited to servicemembers, it has also included spouses and parents.

"Being in the military and being in a relationship with someone in the military has to be the hardest job because it requires so much flexibility and compromise," she said. "From what I've been told, I have an open perspective. I see it from the military perspective but also from the homefront."

With more than 300 Misawa Airmen returning from deployments in February and March, Doctor Cantrell was asked to speak to key personnel on the reintegration process and recognizing signs of COS and PTSD. In addition to identifying signs and symptoms, she covered different behavior which can present challenges in the reintegration process and transitioning from a deployed mindset to a home station mindset. Finally, she talked about how leaders can integrate what they have learned and use it to help their returning Airmen. If there was one idea she hoped people walked away with, she said it is the fact that people seek help when they need it.

"Get help - it's not a sign of weakness," she said. "It's a sign of strength to realize you have issues that need to be dealt with. Deal with them early on and things are going to be better.

"[PTSD and COS] affects everyone," she told the members in attendance. "Each of you in here needs to turn up the volume and key into situational awareness to recognize those who need help."

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Derrick Harris, 35th Fighter Wing, attended one of the briefings and said he agreed leaders need to be more aware.

"Leaders need to be in tune with the people they supervise and what they experience during deployment," he said. "Families are facing stress as well from continuing deployments. A concern for me is people who are being thrown back into the fast pace of work. How are they going to get help if they need it?"

Chaplains are one resource for Airmen and their families who need help reintegrating. They can offer confidential counseling. Airmen can also seek help through their chain of command, Airman and Family Readiness Center, mental health clinic, urgent care clinic, or online through a number of Web sites such as Military OneSource.

"Help comes in so many forms," said Doctor Cantrell. "It requires Airmen to be proactive - look out there and see what organizations are out there. Healing happens in the community, whether it's family, church or the general community. It's important they don't pull away too much, but engage in any way they feel comfortable.

"Remember self-care," she said. "It's essential for everyone to take good care of themselves. "