Washington, D.C.— Congressman Brian Baird (WA-03) today encouraged local health associations and provider groups to learn more about mental health issues that can affect troops—and their families—when they return from serving overseas.  At Congressman Baird’s direct urging, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will hold a teleconference focused on post-deployment mental health and open to all health care and social service providers.

“Community health providers are the primary caregivers for many troops and civilian personnel returning from serving overseas,” Congressman Baird said.   “Unfortunately, many of these community providers don’t have enough training to be able to diagnose, treat, or refer service members who are experiencing mental health issues.  The CDC is taking an important first step in making sure the brave men and women serving our country get the care they need when they return from deployment.”

The CDC Clinician Outreach and Community Activity (COCA) teleconference—entitled “Impact of Deployment on the Health of Service Members and Their Families – Why Clinicians Should Ask”—will feature expert presentations on post-deployment behavioral health, understanding military culture, issues affecting families and children of deployed personnel, and important mental health screening tools.  Local providers may, in fact, be eligible for Continuing Education credits for participating in this teleconference.  The CDC teleconference on post-deployment mental health is set for Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 1:00p.m. ET (10:00a.m. PT). 

For more information, visit the CDC Clinician Outreach and Community Activity website at: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/coca/calls/2010/callinfo_092110.asp

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