Free Training for Clergy on Needs of OEF/OIF Veterans and Families‏

Training will help clergy learn more about PTSD and suicide.

A U.S. Marine steps off of an R&R flight at the Dallas Airport, fresh from overseas, with dozens of people standing there to welcome him home. If this level of support existed across the board, possible problems later with PTSD could be greatly minimized. Salem-News.com photo by Tim King

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Free training for clergy and related staff to address the special needs of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and their families is scheduled on 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11th at the Lane County Armed Forces Reserve Center located at 3110 Pierce Parkway in Springfield, Oregon.

The training is sponsored by the Portland VA Medical Center, VA Roseburg Health Care System, The Oregon National Guard and VISN 20 Mental Illness Research, Educational and Clinical Centers. Lunch will be provided compliments of VA Roseburg Heath Care System.

Please RSVP no later than noon, Monday, March 2 to lauren.stoner@va.gov or by phone at (800) 949-1004 extension 53481 or (503) 220-3418 and include your name, email, religious organization and contact information.

Topics and speakers include:

Welcome: Susan Yeager, Director, VA Roseburg Health Care System and Chaplain Michael Gillespie, VA Roseburg

Religion and Spirituality after Trauma: James Boehnlein, M.D., Portland VA Psychiatrist

The Experience: Chaplain Lt. Col. Daniel Thompson, Iraq Chaplain and Mandy Martin, Iraq Veteran, Military One Source Consultant

PTSD - Spiritual Journey of a Warrior: Scott Scampini, LCSW, Acting Program Manager, Specialized Intensive PTSD Unit, Roseburg VA

Traumatic Brain Injury: Adam Nelson, Ph.D., Portland VA Neuro psychologist and Saw-Myo Tun, Ph.D.,

Portland VA Polytrauma Post-doctoral Resident Suicide Prevention: Colleen Denny, RNC. Coordinator, Roseburg VA

Suicide Prevention Family issues: Matthew Dowling, LCSW, Social Worker, Portland VA

The Hidden War for Women Veterans - Sexual Trauma and Domestic Violence: Marcia Hall, Ph.D., Roseburg VA Women's Services Trauma Recovery Services Serving

Those Who Have Served: Dean Ehly, LCSW, Roseburg VA OEF/OIF Program ManagerHow Local Faith Groups Can Minister to Oregon Guard Families: Chaplain Maj. Scott Delbridge- 30 -

Source: VA Medical Center