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NAMI-OC, along with Orange County Veteran service organizations will begin to hold "Front Line" Veterans Resource meetings for returning veterans and their families to offer support and information to help cope with the stress of returning from a war zone.
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In addition, NAMI National launched its Veterans Resource Center, http://www.nami.org/veterans, an online portal to mental health resources for America's Veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Upon returning from active duty many Veterans face a second war at home, confronting profound mental health problems that challenge their lives and the lives of their families.
Consider these alarming statistics:
In an effort to respond to these issues, NAMI's Veterans Resource Center features a growing compilation of fact sheets, self-help information, online discussion groups, research and policy updates, and links to government agencies and other private organizations.
NAMI-OC is a non-profit organization and the leading self-help organization in Orange County for individuals, families, and friends of those suffering from serious mental disorders. Founded in 1980, NAMI-OC offers family support groups, free educational classes for individuals with a mental health diagnosis and their family, advocates for legislation and works to educate the public to eliminate stigma. Services are available in English and Spanish, with classes in Vietnamese to begin this winter.
The 2008 the NAMI Walk will raise money to help NAMI Orange County to continue to offer free programs to the community and raise awareness regarding mental health issues
For more information regarding NAMI-OC go to: http://www.namioc.org.
-- Almost 1 in 3 Veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq confront mental health problems. -- In 2006, the suicide rate in the Army reached its highest level in 26 years. -- Approximately 30% of veterans treated in the Veterans health system suffer from depressive symptoms, two to three times the rate of the general population. -- Approximately 40% of homeless veterans have mental illnesses.
SOURCE National Alliance on Mental Illness, Orange County (NAMI-OC)
