Veterans mental health is topic of conference in Shiloh

by Airman 1st Class Megan Friedl
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

3/26/2014 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

These alarming numbers have brought psychologists and mental health professionals together to provide more resources to help struggling military members and their families.

Operation Honor presented the No Family Left Behind conference and connection fair for anyone seeking assistance or resources for a wide variety of mental health issues associated with the military lifestyle, at Faith Family Church, in Shiloh, Ill., March 14 and 15.

Brian Russell, a retired chief master sergeant with 29 years of service, said he coordinated the conference "in realization that families were too often left behind."

The effects of deployment and other stressors of being in the military can affect the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of someone.

Therapists spoke on subjects regarding post-traumatic stress and the various problems servicemembers can have coming back from deployment and everyday military life.

Breakout sessions and small groups were formed to discuss an array of topics.

One of the speakers, Mark Russsell, a clinical psychologist and retired Navy commander, said 1.7 million military members have been diagnosed with a mental health problem.

Tech. Sgt. Will Davis, U.S. Transportation Command NCOIC of the emergency action center, and security team lead of the conference said, "There's a lot of information that's out there that a lot of people don't know about."

Davis along with other servicemembers volunteered for this event in hopes that people will get the help they need.

Russell said that even though the event is over, people can still get help from other resources.

For help or resources, check out www.operationhonor.net, the base chapel or the mental health clinic. All of these places are there to help military active duty, reservist, guard members, veterans and their families who are facing struggles.