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AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS, POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) AND EMPLOYMENT

AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS, POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) AND EMPLOYMENT. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair Lecture Series April 30, 2010 Langston University. Bobbie J. Atkins, Ph.D. San Diego State University Interwork Institute.

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AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS, POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) AND EMPLOYMENT

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  1. AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS, POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) AND EMPLOYMENT Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair Lecture Series April 30, 2010 Langston University Bobbie J. Atkins, Ph.D. San Diego State University Interwork Institute

  2. Thanks: To My Sorority-Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

  3. "For their service and sacrifice, warm words of thanks from a grateful nation are more than warranted, but they aren't nearly enough…”President Obama, March 19, 2009

  4. unique • Langston University • community

  5. Mr. Urban Miyares on March 17, 2010. • Veteran • disability • PTSD • CEO • Disabled Businesspersons Association (DBA) and its National Disabled Veterans Business Center

  6. DEFINITIONS OF PTSD traumatic event intense fear helplessness horror

  7. Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) deployment every service person is a potential enemy target

  8. PREVALENCE Solders - surviving and experiencing more disabling results PTSD - second most prominent disability Impact – veteran and civilian workforce, medical systems Suicide and Soldiers

  9. AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS WITH PTSD • Dr. Moore • demanding issues

  10. Recommended Priority:African American Veterans with PTSD Special Attention - Women Veterans • under explored group • since the Civil War, African American women have served in the military

  11. REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT Note: There is no one size fits all. The uniqueness of each Vet and their situation must be assessed and addressed. hallmark of rehabilitation - “holistic” approach

  12. Clear Assessment • Involvement of the Veteran • Readjustment • Reintegration

  13. Individual Education • and • Employment Plans • opportunity for higher education especially rehabilitation programs • Asset Oriented Approach (Atkins, 1988)

  14. Assets of the African American Vet Miyares (2010) People skills Ability to follow directions (orders) Discipline Leadership Persistence Communication Teamwork

  15. Miyares (2010) • Self-Employment • Self-Employment is not a panacea and not for everyone

  16. Develop Vet Teams (support systems, family) First Lady Michelle Obama • Vet Centers • Department of Defense (DoD) • Higher Education • Employers

  17. Outreach Strategies Education of the Community Continuing Education for Service Providers African American Vets with PTSD as part of the education/training team

  18. “Triggers” • Racism and sexism • Predictability • Grief • Anniversaries • Unemployment

  19. Counterbalance • Meaning • Self as a Resource • Spiritual Role • Competency • Goals, Recreation, Helping Others, etc.

  20. “Trauma Informed?” • Jobs of today and the future? • Self-Employment • Federal and related governments • “Social entrepreneurs”

  21. RECOMMENDATIONS ANDPOLICY CONSIDERATIONS Women with PTSD National initiative of research and services Co-operative agreements with colleges and universities

  22. RECOMMENDATIONS ANDPOLICY CONSIDERATIONS Anti-stigma campaign Training programs Readjustments Reentry program Retreats

  23. SUMMARY In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. _ Albert Einstein

  24. Best & Brightest If you think you can do it, you can. If you believe you can do it, you will. If you trust you can do it, you will make a difference. __Catherine Ellis

  25. We must never give up • We must do what we can YOU ARE THE CHANGE YOU DESIRE!

  26. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Mr. Urban Miyares This lecture would not have been possible without your gracious generosity. Thank you so much for your time, insights, and wisdom. Your caring and ongoing service is making a positive difference not only to our country but also to the world.Special Acknowledgments for the assistance provided to me in preparing this lecture:Ms. Nita PooleDr. Mari GuillermoMs. Janice Goforth, M.S., CRC

  27. RESOURCES AND REFERENCES • Vet Center • African American Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Association (AAPTSDA) • Center for Minority Veterans • Disabled Businesspersons Association and National Disabled Veterans Business Center

  28. RESOURCES AND REFERENCES [cont.] • Institute of HeartMath • National Association of Black Military Women • Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission • Veterans Employment Program Office • Veterans For Common Sense (VCS)

  29. REFERENCES Atkins, B.J. (1988). An asset-oriented approach to cross-cultural issues: Blacks in rehabilitation. Special issue: Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 19, 45-49. Atkins, B.J. (2006). Women leaders in rehabilitation: Multicultural-diversity opportunities and issues. Journal of Rehabilitation Administration. 30(3), pp. 203-212. Frain, M.P., Bishop, M., & Bethel, M. (2010). A roadmap for Rehabilitation Counseling to serve military Veterans with disabilities. Journal of Rehabilitation, 76(1), pp. 13-21.

  30. REFERENCES Gamble, M., Dowler, D., & Orslene, L. (2006, April). Assistive technology: Choosing the right tool for the right job. Journal of Rehabilitation, 24(2), 73-80. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database. Kristof, N.D. & WuDunn, S. (2009). Half the sky. New York: Alfred A. Knopp. Leung, P. & Atkins, B.J. (2007). Multicultural Rehabilitation: An historical perspective. In P. Leung, C.R. Flowers, W.B. Talley, & P. Sanderson (eds). Multicultural issues in Rehabilitation and Allied Health. Linn Creek, MO: Aspen Professional Services.

  31. REFERENCES Loo, C.M. (2010). PTSD among ethnic minority veterans. National Center for PTSD – Fact Sheet. www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/ptsd-minority-vets.asp (retrieved 2-9-10). Michael, N. (2009). Racial and ethnocultural considerations in the treatment of combat related post-traumatic stress disorder with service members and veterans of color. Thesis (MSW). Smith College (61 pgs). http://hd1.handle.net//0090/9913 (retrieved 2-9-10) Miyares, U. (2010). An interview with an innovator. Mr. Urban Miyares, President of Disabled Businesspersons Association, San Diego, CA: (Personal Interview on March 17, 2010).

  32. REFERENCES Rebhahn, P. (2000). The effect of Personality on PTSD. Psychology Today, www.psychologytoday.com/the -effect-personality-ptsd (retrieved 3-19-10). Robinson, M.C. & Mu’min, A.S. (2008). Diagnosis and treatment of Veterans with mental disorders from culturally diverse populations. Presented at the NAMRC Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO. Schwarts, A.C., Bradley, R.L. & Sexton, M. (2005). Posttraumatic stress disorder among African Americans in an inner city mental health clinic. Psychiatric Services, 56(2). http://ps.psychiatryonline.org (retrieved 2-4-10)

  33. REFERENCES Thorp, S.R., Happener, P.S., Simmons, A.N. & Baker, D.G. (2008). Overcoming obstacles to mental healthcare with returning Veterans at the San Diego VA Healthcare system. Presented in San Diego, CA White House Office of the Press Secretary (2009, November 9). President Obama Launches Major Veterans Employment Initiative. Retrieved from<www.Whitehouse.gov/The-press-office/president-obama-launches-major-veterans-employment-initiative

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