CIGNA Behavioral Health To Offer Free Support Consultations For Veterans And Their Families

Main Category: Veterans / Ex-Servicemen
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 27 Oct 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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In the next six months, thousands of American men and women will return home from the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan as their tours of duty end. To assist in their transition, CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH) announced today that its trained behavioral health and employee assistance professionals will offer their assistance without charge via a toll-free "Returning Veterans Support Line" to all veterans during Veteran's Awareness Week, which is Nov. 6-10.

The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study in March 2006 which concluded that nearly one of every five service members (19 percent) returning from Iraq reported mental health problems, most often associated with combat experiences(1). Further, the study showed that 35 percent of Iraq war veterans used mental health services in the year following their return to the United States(2).

"When my son-in-law came back from Iraq, even a paper bag in the street would startle him. He felt naked without a gun," said Cindy Graves whose son and son-in-law both served in Iraq. "A lot of people aren't aware of the resources available. It will make an impact for people by just letting them know there's someone available to help."

"Our veterans need to hear 'Welcome Home -- thank you for your service to your country'", says CBH senior vice president Jodi Aronson Prohofsky, PhD. "We feel this is a way our business can help re-integrate our nation's soldiers back into daily life, whether that is at civilian or state-side military jobs."

Aronson Prohofsky said the mental health of returning military personnel - and their productivity - should be a high priority for HR and EAP professionals. She said, "The impact will likely be stunning, and civilian employers as well as the military will need to use available resources to help these men and women transition back into life in the United States, whether as a civilian or as a professional member of the military."

The service line will provide referrals, resources and advice for veterans experiencing depression, stress, increased use of alcohol and other drugs, nightmares, or other problems as they return to their workplaces and homes in America. Family members of all veterans may also call the free phone line (1-866-440-VETS or 8387), which will be available Nov. 6 through Nov. 10, from 8 am to 8 pm CST. CBH will also offer a series of telephonic seminars for employers and has posted free resource guides for re-integrating returning soldiers back into the workforce on its web site, http://www.cignabehavioral.com.

About CIGNA Behavioral Health

CIGNA Behavioral Health (CBH) provides behavioral care benefit management, EAPs, and work/life programs to consumers through health plans offered by large U.S. employers, national and regional HMOs, Taft-Hartley trusts and disability insurers. CBH, with headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minn., operates five care management centers around the U.S. in support of a national network of more than 56,800 independent psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers and more than 5,100 facilities and clinics. For more information, visit http://www.CIGNABehavioral.com.

For interviews with Dr. Jodi Aronson Prohofsky, about ways both employers and employees can help with the behavioral health needs of returning veterans, media may call Heather Schwartz at 612-337-0087.

1. Journal of the American Medical Association, March 1, 2006, Vol. 295, No. 9, page 1023, "Mental Health Problems, Use of Mental Health Services, and Attrition from Military

2. Service After Returning From Deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan" by Charles Hoge, MD, Jennifer Auchterlonie, MS and Charles Milliken, MD.

CIGNA Behavioral Health
http://www.CIGNABehavioral.com

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