Behavioral Health Issues Among Afghanistan and Iraq U.S. War Veterans

Course overview

Course Description: Since 2001, more than 2.2 million U.S. veterans have served in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom, or OEF) and Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom, or OIF). Although more than two-fifths of these veterans receive healthcare and social services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the remainder may seek services elsewhere—from community clinics, primary care providers, and other community centers. This course introduces some of the problems facing OEF and OIF veterans and can help healthcare and social service professionals understand the needs of these veterans. This course covers possible behavioral health issues which may affect returning veterans, substance abuse among OEF and OIF veterans, and mental disorders faced by OEF and OIF veterans including suicide potential. Screening tools and other resources are provided for primary care and behavioral health providers in the civilian sector to provide assistance in caring for the special needs and circumstances of our veterans. This course on behavioral health issues among Afghanistan and Iraq U.S. war veterans is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of behavioral health issues in war veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan era. The course material includes a review of behavioral health and substance abuse issues faced by veterans, as well as resources which may be helpful in assessing and treating this population. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal. This course is based upon material published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is available as an open-access article Authors: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding behavioral health and substance abuse issues faced by Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. Specifically, a professional will: Describe behavioral health issues faced by veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan Identify substance abuse issues affecting Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans Recognize suicide prevention resources helpful to returning veterans Citation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2012). Behavioral Health Issues Among Afghanistan and Iraq U.S. War Veterans. In Brief, Volume 7, Issue 1.