Peace Witness
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Recommended Resources
 Down Range: To Iraq and Back
by Bridget Cantrell, Ph.D., and Chuck Dean.
Available online for $16.99 or from On Earth Peace for a reduced donation.
Book Description (Amazon.com editorial)
There are some things people don’t get over easily — pain from the past is one of them.
Trauma changes people: It changes values, priorities, worldviews, and most of all…it changes how we relate to others. Painful, life-threatening experiences take people beyond the normal day-to-day life, leaving them stuck behind defensive walls that keep them from re-entering the world they have always known as "home". So how does it happen? How do we lose the loving closeness with those around us? And better yet, how do we re-gain what pain has robbed us of? "Down Range" is not only a book explaining war trauma — it is required reading for anyone seriously interested about how to make healthy transitions from war to peace.
Bridget C. Cantrell, Ph.D. and Vietnam veteran, Chuck Dean have joined forces to present this vital information and resource manual for both returning troops and their loved ones. Here you will find answers, explanations, and insights as to why so many combat veterans suffer from flashbacks, depression, fits of rage, nightmares, anxiety, emotional numbing, and other troubling aspects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
FOR VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY
 Military OneSource– Military OneSource provides active duty personnel, National Guard and Reservists with information and resources that can help improve many areas of life, from personal to professional. “But we do more than give you information -- we help you take action, with materials that get you thinking and tools that help you set things in motion.” This confidential service is available 24/7. Click above for more information or call 1-800-342-9647.
- Vet Centers – Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members for military related issues. Veterans have earned these benefits through their service and all are provided at no cost to the veteran or family.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Center program operates a system of 207 community based counseling centers. The Vet Centers are staffed by small multi-disciplinary teams of dedicated providers, many of which are combat veterans themselves.
Vet Center staff are available toll free during normal business hours at 1-800-905-4675 (Eastern) and 1-866-496-8838 (Pacific).
- Vets4Vets – Vets4Vets is a non-partisan project. All Iraq-era veterans are welcome. We leave our politics behind us at the door when we get together to help other Iraq-era veterans—and to help ourselves! We include Iraq-era veterans from all across the political spectrum on the issue of the war.
Vets4Vets support groups consist of military veterans listening and taking equal and uninterrupted turns telling their stories within an agreement of complete confidentiality. Click here to find a Vets4Vets group near you.
- Mental Health Self-Assessment Program – Military life, especially deployments or mobilizations, can present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique and difficult. Some are manageable, some are not. Many times we can successfully deal with them on our own. In some instances matters get worse and one problem can trigger other more serious issues. At such times it is wise to check things out and see what is really happening. That’s the purpose of these totally anonymous and voluntary self-assessments.
These questions are designed so you can review your situation with regard to some of the more common mental health issues. The screening will not provide a diagnosis – for that you need to see a professional. But, it will tell you whether or not you have symptoms that are consistent with a condition or concern that would benefit from further evaluation or treatment. It will also give you guidance as to where you might seek assistance.
- Point Man International Ministries – What is it?? Every Vietnam vet knows what a point man is. During a military patrol or infantry operation, the point man walks several meters out in front of everyone else. His purpose is to serve as the eyes and ears for the unit following him through suspected enemy territory. He seeks out likely enemy ambush sites, booby traps and anything else that would endanger or entrap his tailing companions. Point Man Ministries is designed to do the same today for all veterans through the healing power of the Holy Spirit, the inerrant Word of God and the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. It is a ministry run BY vets FOR vets that provides individual and group counseling, literature, seminars and conferences to help bring aid and comfort to their brothers in arms.
PMIM currently has outposts in 36 states and 6 foreign countries. To find an outpost in your area CLICK HERE. We are always excited to add new outposts and homefronts to our roster. Our goal is to have an outpost "around the corner from every hurting vet and his/her family".
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