Homefront
Vol 2, Issue 4
April 2012
Welcome!
In This Issue
Moral Injury
Research shows that almost 45 percent of returning
veterans will have experienced traumatic events
potentially causing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) or other psychological disorders such as
depression. Large numbers also suffer from Traumatic
Brain Injury (TBI). Left untreated these invisible wounds
can have devastating impact on the lives of those
suffering in silence, their families, and their
communities.
Events
Quick Link
New to VA
Federal Benefits for Veterans,
Dependents and Survivors:
2011 Edition
National Center of PTSD
CSC's response is to establish a community system of
holistic support to veterans and their families that is
focused on mental health and substance abuse needs,
and extends to primary health care, employment,
housing and education. Specifically, work will be
directed towards;
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Expanding identification of and outreach to
veterans and families,
Enhancing coordination of services for veterans
and families,
Improving mental health treatment and increased
access to Veterans Treatment Court,
Reducing homelessness among veterans,
Broader community engagement and awareness
of PTSD and traumatic brain injury, and
Coordinating state leadership and stronger
national policy support.
Community Service Council
Moral Injury
Dr. Erv Janssen is a retired Navy officer and psychiatrist. He has been active with
the Veteran's Initiative Advisory Board for over a year and we have benefited
greatly from his input and involvement. Dr. Janssen has brought the concept of
Moral Injury to our awareness and helped us understand the need to address the
issue alongside other needs. He was asked to write a brief introduction to the
concept for this newsletter as a way to further our discussion.
AN OFTEN HIDDEN, EXTRA LOAD: MORAL INJURY
Erv Janssen. M.D.
When one listens carefully to those who have experienced war, with some
frequency you begin to recognize a deep, very troubling sense of pain and
uncertainty. "I have seen, I have experienced events that were not right, that were
evil. I am not the same person who left home. I can't get it out of my mind and do
not feel right about all of this. I am angry, feel guilty and ashamed....I really can't
talk about this....to anyone. What is it with me?"
MORAL INJURY: While this "pain of wrong" has been recognized at some level for
centuries, over the last 10 years more attention has been given to the issues of
returning service members and veterans who struggle with the sense of having
transgressed their deeply held personal expectations and moral beliefs, either
spontaneously or by order of a superior. They may also have witnessed the
unethical behavior of others. This pain of moral injury can compound clinical issues
of PTSD and TBI. Moral injury and the resulting "emotional wounds" can last for
years. They also may be "converted" into chronic physical as well as psychological
symptoms or behaviors. If the root cause of moral injury is not approached and
treated appropriately, the other more "visible" symptoms or behaviors are not likely
to be treated successfully.
A growing "public" and professional literature is developing as a broader segment
of the community recognizes the impact of moral injury. A book that sheds light on
these issues provides insight and a place to begin exploring moral injury, especially
as it relates to PTSD: War and the Soul, Edward Tick, Ph.D., © 2005 Quest Books
For Your Calendar
Next VIAB meeting: Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Noon, come at 11:30 if you would
like lunch ($7.00). Meeting held at Community Service Council, 16th and Baltimore.
Stand Down: Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the First Baptist Church Tulsa. Contact
Meghann Ray if you have donations or would like to volunteer.
meghann.ray@tulsadrugcourt.com
Disclaimer
Links to non-Federal and Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our
users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their
programs by the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa or the Federal Government,
and none should be inferred. The Community Service Council is not responsible for the
content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Until next time...
Sincerely,
Colleen Ayres-Griffin
Veterans Initiative
Community Service Council | 16 East 16th Street, Suite 202 | Tulsa | OK | 74119