Integrative Healing Practices for Veterans (VET-HEAL)

A research program of the Samueli Institute

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) conducted by the United States Army on the mental health of troops who fought in Iraq found that about one in eight reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  The survey also showed that less than half of those with problems sought help. Troops participating in the study cited concerns about how they would be seen by peers and potential damage to their careers which indicates the need to reduce the barriers and make it more likely that soldiers will get the help that they need.

The Department of Veterans Affairs spends $3.2 billion a year on mental health care.  In the past five years, the number of veterans receiving compensation for PTSD has grown nearly seven times as fast as the number receiving benefits for disabilities in general.  This data does not include troops returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The VET-HEAL program focuses on integrative healing approaches to physical and psychological trauma, which may include yoga, acupuncture, guided imagery, meditation and others.  These integrative interventions have minimal or no side effects, and can be initiated early, as soon as symptoms appear.  Once learned, many of these techniques may be self-administered.  This empowers soldiers to help themselves, while also providing access to expert care.

Goal:

Identify and investigate integrative medicine practices that are effective for the treatment of stress symptoms in veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and for the mitigation of suffering due to chronic medical conditions.

Objectives:

Application to the Veterans Administration and the Military:

More than 60,000 troops who have returned from deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq suffer symptoms of PTSD.  The risk of developing PTSD increases with the total exposure to combat, and is highest in soldiers deployed to Iraq.  Proper early intervention appears to decrease the risk of progression to debilitating PTSD.

Research Partners:

The VET-HEAL Program is embedded in key Military and VA sites, which currently provide in-kind support and/or additional funds.