Post-deployment Challenges: There and Back Again – Learning about depression
This is the first in a series of mini-podcasts that will address the many facets of post-deployment challenges. This first one deals with depression. It’s about 10-minutes in length and is focused on education and encouragement. Other parts to the series will include post-traumatic stress, anger management, sleep problems, and relationship issues.
Podcast Series Addresses Post-deployment Challenges
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2010 – Servicemembers and their families can get help coping with post-deployment stress through a new series of podcasts profiling the personal stories of those who have lived it.
“Combat brings individuals face-to-face with the harshest demands imaginable. In fact, it’s impossible to be unaffected by these experiences. Stress reactions, family and relationship difficulties, and work conflicts can affect an individual’s emotional well being.”
These words set the stage for the premiere episode of “There and Back,” an audio podcast series developed by afterdeployment.org, a Defense Department Web site developed by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology and the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.
The podcast series is directed to the entire military community to help manage some of the challenges faced by servicemembers and their families following a deployment, defense officials said.
“Learning About Depression,” the initial ten minute podcast in the “There and Back” series is a tapestry woven of education, encouragement and emotional intimacy.
Dr. Jenifer Alford, a clinical psychologist and afterdeployment.org’s functional director, guides listeners through the world of depression. “Depression can happen to just about anyone given the right set of circumstances,” Alford says. “Taking no action, or believing that time will heal the depression, could result in the depression getting worse or lasting longer.”
The podcast is punctuated by servicemembers and their families telling their personal stories, allowing listeners to know that they are not alone in their struggles.
Listen to: “There and Back: Learning about Depression”
