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Dr. Bridget Cantrell likes to begin her seminars about mental health surrounding deployments with a quote from David O. McKay: “The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul.”
Cantrell, a licensed therapist in the state of Washington, has written several books on recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Her most recent book is “Souls Under Siege: The Effects of Multiple Troop Deployments — and How to Weather the Storm.” Cantrell has a doctorate of philosophy in clinical psychology, works as a private mental health provider and also runs a nonprofit group, Hearts Toward Home International. Through her nonprofit, Cantrell conducts mental health awareness seminars throughout the military.
Cantrell was on post Jan. 26-27 through the Fort Leavenworth Family Advocacy Program to conduct several lectures for military families about coping with multiple deployments.
One Army spouse, who asked not to be named, was grateful for the information Cantrell provided about what kinds of changes she could expect in her Soldier husband after deployment.
“She understands it,” the spouse said of Cantrell. “She just has the big spectrum of what’s going on. She can narrow it down and actually get into your life struggles.”
Cantrell talked with military families about changes in Soldiers after going through a traumatic life event. She said that PTSD is a response to something that’s outside the normal realm of human experience, and it’s not necessarily an abnormal response.
“We do a disservice when we say this person is mentally ill,” she said.
Any Soldier can experience a genuine traumatic event, Cantrell said.
“You don’t have to go outside the wire to be effected by your experience,” she said.
Cantrell advocates for spouses to understand what is going on with their Soldier and support him or her through the recovery process. She also tells spouses to stand up for themselves — that it’s not their fault if their Soldier is having problems. The same is true for parents or other family members of Soldiers.
“I feel it’s just as important for family members to educate (themselves about) what (Soldiers) are going through to build empathy and compassion,” she said.
Sleep is a major part of mental health, Cantrell said, and it’s important for newly redeployed Soldiers to get their full eight hours each night. This might mean they need to sleep on a couch, a recliner, a place where they can see the door, or a place that feels enclosed and safe.
Early intervention is also important, as well as staying away from substance abuse. Sometimes years can even pass before returning combat veterans realize there is something wrong, Cantrell said.
“For some people, they’re so full of adrenaline and so focused on the mission, they don’t realize they have a problem,” she said.
There are many resources available to help service members and their families. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center has several support groups and can be reached at 682-2000. Military One Source is available to any service member with free face-to-face counseling, telephone consultation or online consultation. As an organization that is separate from the military, Military One Source does not report to a Soldier’s command. Contact Military One Source through (800) 342-9647 or visit www.militaryonesource.mil.
On Fort Leavenworth, Soldiers, family members and eligible retirees can seek help at Behavioral Health at Munson Army Health Center’s Gentry Clinic, 684-6771. The clinic has teams that specialize in neuropsychology, psychology and social work.
Anyone can contact the Chaplain Family Life Center, 684-8995, for confidential counseling for individuals, couples and families. Several chaplains on post have experience working with Soldiers and families suffering from PTSD, addiction problems, anger and stress, and many other issues. There is also a program, Combat Experience Support Group, which pairs couples with experienced military couples to discuss post deployment issues.
Cantrell’s nonprofit group also has information and advice for families struggling with PTSD, TBI, combat operational stress, and more at www.heartstowardhome .com.
Dr. Bridget Cantrell likes to begin her seminars about mental health surrounding deployments with a quote from David O. McKay: “The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul.”
Cantrell, a licensed therapist in the state of Washington, has written several books on recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Her most recent book is “Souls Under Siege: The Effects of Multiple Troop Deployments — and How to Weather the Storm.” Cantrell has a doctorate of philosophy in clinical psychology, works as a private mental health provider and also runs a nonprofit group, Hearts Toward Home International. Through her nonprofit, Cantrell conducts mental health awareness seminars throughout the military.
Cantrell was on post Jan. 26-27 through the Fort Leavenworth Family Advocacy Program to conduct several lectures for military families about coping with multiple deployments.
One Army spouse, who asked not to be named, was grateful for the information Cantrell provided about what kinds of changes she could expect in her Soldier husband after deployment.
“She understands it,” the spouse said of Cantrell. “She just has the big spectrum of what’s going on. She can narrow it down and actually get into your life struggles.”
Cantrell talked with military families about changes in Soldiers after going through a traumatic life event. She said that PTSD is a response to something that’s outside the normal realm of human experience, and it’s not necessarily an abnormal response.
“We do a disservice when we say this person is mentally ill,” she said.
Any Soldier can experience a genuine traumatic event, Cantrell said.
“You don’t have to go outside the wire to be effected by your experience,” she said.
Cantrell advocates for spouses to understand what is going on with their Soldier and support him or her through the recovery process. She also tells spouses to stand up for themselves — that it’s not their fault if their Soldier is having problems. The same is true for parents or other family members of Soldiers.
“I feel it’s just as important for family members to educate (themselves about) what (Soldiers) are going through to build empathy and compassion,” she said.
Sleep is a major part of mental health, Cantrell said, and it’s important for newly redeployed Soldiers to get their full eight hours each night. This might mean they need to sleep on a couch, a recliner, a place where they can see the door, or a place that feels enclosed and safe.
Early intervention is also important, as well as staying away from substance abuse. Sometimes years can even pass before returning combat veterans realize there is something wrong, Cantrell said.
“For some people, they’re so full of adrenaline and so focused on the mission, they don’t realize they have a problem,” she said.
There are many resources available to help service members and their families. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center has several support groups and can be reached at 682-2000. Military One Source is available to any service member with free face-to-face counseling, telephone consultation or online consultation. As an organization that is separate from the military, Military One Source does not report to a Soldier’s command. Contact Military One Source through (800) 342-9647 or visit www.militaryonesource.mil.
On Fort Leavenworth, Soldiers, family members and eligible retirees can seek help at Behavioral Health at Munson Army Health Center’s Gentry Clinic, 684-6771. The clinic has teams that specialize in neuropsychology, psychology and social work.
Anyone can contact the Chaplain Family Life Center, 684-8995, for confidential counseling for individuals, couples and families. Several chaplains on post have experience working with Soldiers and families suffering from PTSD, addiction problems, anger and stress, and many other issues. There is also a program, Combat Experience Support Group, which pairs couples with experienced military couples to discuss post deployment issues.
Cantrell’s nonprofit group also has information and advice for families struggling with PTSD, TBI, combat operational stress, and more at www.heartstowardhome .com.
