CONTACT:  Brian Ruberry for National Council, 301-948-1709, br@allhealthpr.com
 

BOSTON, May 1—Treating veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan for mental illnesses and addiction disorders will be the focus of several new presentations during the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare’s 38th Annual Conference, May 1–3, in Boston. With an estimated one-fourth of returning veterans reporting symptoms consistent with PTSD, the presentations will discuss how to help returning troops with common stress reactions, preparation and expectations for homecoming, stigma, addiction disorders and other mental health issues.

“The incidence of major clinical depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD and other mental disorders, as well as alcohol and drug problems among U.S. soldiers returning from the Middle East is alarming,” said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council. “Community behavioral health providers across the country have stepped up to the challenge of providing intensive mental health services to our fighting men and women.”

Presentations on treating returning veterans for mental illness and addiction disorders include:

“Normal And Pathological Readjustment Among Returning Troops”
Friday, May 2, 2:15 PM–3:15 PM, Salon E
Presenter: Matthew Friedman, MD, PhD, Executive Director, Veteran Affair’s National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, White River Junction, VT

“Mental Health Following Deployment To A War Zone: A Community Solution”
Friday, May 2, 3:45 PM–5:15 PM, Vermont
Presenters: Laurie B. Slone, PhD, Associate Director for Research and Education,
Veteran Affair’s National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Matthew Friedman, MD, PhD, Executive Director, Veteran Affair’s National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, White River Junction, VT 

“The Provider Experience: Serving Returning Veterans and Their Families”
Saturday, May 3, 11:15 AM-12:45 PM, Salon G
Presenters: Leslie Clark Brancato CEO, Community Counseling Center, Portland, ME; Robert Ross, MS, Executive Director, South Central Montana Mental Health Center, Billings, MT; Scott Swaim, Senior Director, Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation, Auburn, WA.

Other presentations include a “Treatment Is Not Enough: Working With Ex-Offenders To Attain and Maintain Employment” on May 2, 2:15-3:15 PM in Salon G. The presenter, B. Diane Williams, President and CEO of Safer Foundation in Chicago, will share her experiences of working with mentally ill and addicted men and women leaving prison, and how to overcome the formidable barriers of reintegration. The presentation comes on the heels of President Bush signing the Second Chance Act into law on April 9. The new law expands the addiction and mental health services that are available to help prisoners transition into life in their communities upon their release.

The National Council Conference includes more than 100 presentations on topics like new treatments for addictions, emerging treatment technologies for ADHD and traumatic brain injury, and the latest recovery trends and techniques.

 Featured presentations include sessions on timely issues such as:
• Addictions: The Biochemistry of Addictions, The Challenge of Medication-Assisted Treatment, and What Works in Treating Addictions
• Emerging Treatment Technologies: EEG, Neurofeedback and Emerging Treatment for ADHD, Addictions and Traumatic Brain Injury
• Children & Youth: ADHD Update, How to Engage Children and Families in Treatment, and Treating Children with Extreme Behavior Disorders

Among the featured speakers are: James Carville, political strategist; Jim Collins, management educator; Mark McClellan, former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Lorraine Bracco, actress and author; Nic and David Sheff, authors; Christopher Kennedy Lawford, actor and author; and Kitty and Michael Dukakis, co-author of Shock and former Governor of Massachusetts and 1988 Democratic candidate for President, respectively.

PRESS REGISTRATION  
Credentialed media may receive press badges and complimentary registration by contacting Brian Ruberry, 301-948-1709, br@allhealthpr.com

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The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) association of 1,400 behavioral healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addictions disorders to nearly six million adults, children and families in communities across the country. The National Council and its members bear testimony to the fact that medical, social, psychological and rehabilitation services offered in community settings help people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders recover and lead productive lives.