Friday, November 25, 2011

What is the Civilian Medical Resources Network?

My friends at the GI Rights Hotline told me about this great group, which can use a little help:

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"An average of eighteen United States military veterans kill themselves every day. Nearly a thousand former soldiers under the care of the Department of Veterans Affairs attempt suicide every month. The crisis has grown so urgent that more veterans are killing themselves than are dying in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In April 2008 a study by the RAND Corporation reported that 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans currently suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and/or major depression. An additional 320,000 soldiers suffer from traumatic brain injury or physical brain damage. Many of these GIs do not receive adequate help from the Pentagon and VA system.
The Civilian Medical Resources Network began in March 2005, working to address the unmet medical and psychological needs of active-duty U.S. military personnel who contact the GI Rights Hotline (a national effort by 25 religious and peace organizations).
The Network has grown from three participating professionals to over 85 currently, located in all areas of the country. Professionals receive a brief training in the support and documentation that the GIs require. Due to GIs' limited financial resources and insurance coverage for civilian services, Network professionals generally provide care free or at greatly reduced cost. When possible, GIs visit Network professionals in person; if an in-person visit proves unfeasible due to geographical distance, Network professionals assist GIs by telephone consultations. The volume of new clients that the Network serves has increased from approximately two per month initially to four per week currently. We are expanding our outreach to peace organizations, professional organizations, and especially GIs.
To support this group - and/or to contact it if you need it - see http://www.civilianmedicalresources.net/

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