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How Data in Post-9/11 Veterans with TBI and Trauma can inform treatment of IPV:

Cate presented data from the TRACTS National Network TBI Research Center at the Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury Task Force Meeting hosted by Pink Concussions.

Watch the full talk here:

Catherine Fortier - PINK PIBI (Partner-Related Brain Injury) Task Force

View the Instagram Post here: 

Pink Concussions Instagram

 

COVID -19 News Letter: 

Dear STEP-Home participants:

We want to reach out to you to offer our support during this very difficult and stressful time, as we all deal with COVID-19. In order to comply with the need for social distancing, our STEP-Home study has suspended all of our in-person group meetings through early May, and instead, we have moved our meetings to a virtual telehealth platform.

Although we are not conducting our in-person research, we are still here for you, if you need help or support during this stressful and uncertain time. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Alexandra Kenna (857-364-2526), Colleen Hursh (857-364-2093), or Sahra Kim (857-364-6595) if you would like to talk to one of our STEP-Home group leaders. We are more than happy to talk over any stressful thoughts and feelings you are experiencing over the phone or to assist you with finding additional support or therapy if you are struggling.

We’ve put together some tips to help you manage your anxiety and take care of your mental health amidst the COVID-19 crisis:

  • Know the facts but don’t linger: With so much changing every few hours, it can be difficult not to become glued to news coverage. While it is always important to stay up-to-date, diverting excessive time to read and watch for the latest info can increase anxiety. To keep things simple, refer to reputable sources like the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or your local health department to stay up-to-date on necessary precautions.
  • Connect with others: Take control of what you can! There’s no need to panic or stockpile supplies, but it never hurts to use the opportunity to make social plans (virtually). Make plans to regularly talk with friends and family over the phone or via FaceTime, Skype, or other online meeting apps. Be flexible and creative in ways to stay connected.
  • Try a grounding exercise to ease stress: Start by taking a deep inhale, while you count to 4, then hold that breath for another 4, followed by a long exhale (up to seven counts). Repeat this a few times and notice how your mind and body respond. This is called square breathing and is just one example of how mindfulness practices including meditation, visualization, or repeating a mantra can help ease anxiety.
  • Plan for what you can control and then trust that if you’re following instructions, you’re doing enough for now! It’s important to remember that while this situation may be unique, the anxiety you’re experiencing is not. The same things that work for stress management in general can also be helpful now!
  • Try to keep to a routine/daily structure: Wake up at the same time, shower, eat healthy meals, and get fresh air and exercise. Incorporate calming activities into your routine like yoga, meditation, and music.
  • Reframe your thinking: Techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) like reframing, can provide a helpful structure for dealing with unhelpful patterns of thoughts and behaviors. Here are a few examples of how you might counter catastrophizing thoughts about the pandemic:
    • Worry #1: “I live in a highly populated city- a virus could spread to me quickly.” Reframed: “My city has a lot of infrastructure and resources in place to face a challenge like this.”
    • Worry #2: “I should not have left my home today. Anyone could threaten my health.” Reframed: “I’m doing the best I can, and so are the people around me.”

When you find a way to reframe a negative belief, try to commit to it for a while. You might be surprised at how your energy and mood can shift, just by adding a more generous alternative to your concerns.

  • Continue (or start!) therapy remotely: If your response to the current pandemic feels particularly overwhelming, you might consider talking to a mental health professional about what you are experiencing. Many therapists can set up telehealth sessions. Our STEP-Home staff members are happy to discuss with you further and help connect you with VA Mental Health. If you are already engaged in mental health treatment, continue to stay engaged with your therapist.
  • Go easy on yourself! The current situation can make everyday life feel unfamiliar or worrisome, which is never easy. Acknowledging that you’re feeling stressed (and that it’s normal to feel that way) can be a step toward reducing anxiety.

In addition to these tips, below we have listed some VA and DOD-developed mental health and stress management apps, which can be particularly helpful right now. Consider downloading one or more of them and using them daily!

 

And finally, although normal life has been upended quickly, and we have been presented with very unique, unexpected challenges, we want to remind you to embrace the “we.” As Veterans, you already recognize the importance of teamwork, the mission, and camaraderie. Although social distancing is challenging for many reasons, remember to remind yourself of why we are doing this – to help reduce the spread of the virus; to protect those around you, especially those with compromised immune systems; and to support front-line healthcare who are working around the clock in unprecedented circumstances. We believe that as Veterans, you possess a unique attitude and strength to get through this challenging time. Please remember to reach out for support when you need it, including to our STEP-Home team. Together, we will meet this challenge.

 

Sincerely,

The STEP-Home Team –Alex, Colleen, Sahra, Cate, and Britta

 

STEP-Home and TRACTS Interview:

A Boston Neighborhood Network Media interview with Dr. Catherine Fortier and Wally Musto. They share more information about our larger, "parent" study (TRACTS) and STEP-Home. Please click the link below to watch:

http://guide.bnntv.org:8000/CablecastPublicSite/show/93746?channel=1

 

Benefits Review Class:

 

Benefits Review Class