The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Local News

October 21, 2008

Project targets combat stress

Thirty years ago, Dr. Burton Singerman was helping Vietnam veterans deal with divorce, alcoholism and homelessness and other devastating effects of combat stress.

Now Singerman is leading Memorial Medical Center’s research team developing a national program to help protect today’s warriors from similar consequences.

As it enters its second year, the combat stress intervention project is preparing to launch a major public education and outreach initiative.

“We hope the things I witnessed in Vietnam veterans – including suicides and other real horrors – are not going to happen in this war,” said Singerman, a psychiatrist and Memorial Medical Center chairman of behavioral health.

“The harsh reality of these combat stress issues is that they affect the entire community,” research team member and Army Reservist Brandy Litzinger said. “They are our teachers, our police officers and our parents.”

Leaders hope to expand awareness throughout the community, helping health care workers, clergy, social workers, employers and family members understand issues, while helping returning service personnel find ways to reach out for help, Singerman said.

A new study showing high suicide rates among National Guard and Reservists brings an urgency to the work, he added. Two Western Pennsylvania veterans have taken their own lives in the past week, Singerman said, noting that returning citizen soldiers are two and a half times more likely to commit suicide.

“Suicide rates are the highest in the history of the military,” Singerman said.

A press conference Tuesday at Memorial’s Lee Campus introduced a computerized kiosk to be placed at convenient locations throughout the community early next year. The touch-screen information system is being developed to help returning soldiers and family members learn about symptoms of stress disorders and find help. At least 15 of the kiosks will be distributed, with more added as the project grows, Singerman said.

Working in collaboration with Washington and Jefferson College, the local research team continues to survey key members of the community measuring the level of awareness on veterans’ stress issues, researcher Lori Murphy said.

“The (kiosks’) content will be driven by the research findings that we are collecting,” Murphy said.

Some key data is being collected at family focus group events, including one at 6 p.m. today in Richland. The anonymous discussion program is intended for adult family members and spouses of those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The government-funded study provides a significant gift for each participant, Singerman said.

Preregistration is required by calling (888) 848-0718 before 5 p.m. today.

By analyzing different approaches to find out what works here, researchers believe they can expand the project in non-urban areas throughout the country.

“This is a national demonstration project,” Singerman said. “We want to show how health professionals can be educated to better deal with problems that have always been seen in returning veterans.”





Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • park.JPG Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May

    An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.

    February 9, 2012 2 Photos

  • meth1 Man jailed on rash of charges

    A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.

    February 9, 2012 2 Photos

  • Cambria abolishes 16 jobs

    Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.

    February 9, 2012

  • griffith mug 12-2011.JPG Blogging with heart

    Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
    As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. 

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Wozniak, John Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill

    State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • tim houser Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak

    Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • CONZO,_DANA Judge tosses evidence in robbery

    A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder

    A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.

    February 9, 2012

  • samuel mcfarland Garrett man sought in Somerset crime

    An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • CLINTON EDWARDS City man shot during alleged burglary

    A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday. 

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

Poll

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2012-13?

Yes, I support his proposed budget.
No, I don't support his proposed budget.
I don't know anything about it.
     View Results
AP Video
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
House Ads
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com