Dealing with post-combat issues: Mental health resources for service members and families

  • Published
  • By Shari Lopatin
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
TRIWEST --  Whether gone for two months or two years, returning from combat can be grueling.

Servicemembers readjusting back into society need time to recover from the stress of a highly charged war zone. Most adapt well after some time; however, if problems continue and interfere with daily activities, it's time to seek help from a healthcare professional.

If these individuals don't find help when they or a family member suspects a problem, their symptoms may worsen, causing a spiral of reckless or self-destructive behavior, domestic problems, career challenges and even death.

TRICARE offers behavioral health benefits for eligible beneficiaries who need it.* Beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Prime may receive the first eight behavioral healthcare outpatient visits per fiscal year (Oct. 1 - Sept. 30) from a TRICARE network provider without prior authorization from their regional contractor.

Active duty servicemembers should always seek care first at a military treatment facility, when available. Active duty servicemembers must have a referral from their primary care manager and have prior authorization from their regional contractor before seeking behavioral healthcare services outside the MTF. Active duty servicemembers enrolled in TRICARE Prime Remote may call TriWest to help obtain authorization for civilian behavioral health care.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance offers a number of additional resources for service members and families throughout TRICARE's west region who are coping with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or other post-combat struggles. These Resources include:

· "Help From Home" video series: Available at no cost via streaming video or as a 2-DVD set on www.triwest.com. This series offers advice from behavioral health experts who are also combat veterans and military families that have coped with effects of PTSD. Find it at www.triwest.com> beneficiary services>behavioral health>Help From Home.

· Behavioral Health Portal at www.triwest.com: Find articles and links to additional resources on a variety of topics spanning from children's behavioral issues to dealing with depression or suicide at www.triwest.com>beneficiary>behavioral health.

· TriWest Crisis Line (1-888-284-3743): Accredited by the American Association of Suicidology and staffed with specially trained clinicians, this support line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone struggling with depression, PTSD or thoughts of suicide, including family members concerned about these signs in a loved one.

· Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN) USA Brochure: What You Need to Know about Warning Signs and Getting Help: Information about the signs of depression or other concerns that may lead to suicide at www.triwest.com>beneficiary>handbooks and brochures/

Here are a few additional places to find help. For more comprehensive information about behavioral health support or benefits, visit www.triwest.com or call 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378).