Mental Health Conditions Common to Veterans and Family Members of Veterans E210

Course Summary

Current and former members of the United States military may not always volunteer information about their military service. Veterans may not be willing to share their experiences, especially when they cause them mental anguish. Military deployment may have a profound effect on men and women that have served in regions of conflict and war. Understanding mental illness in the veteran population and how to screen, diagnose and treat mental illness is important for healthcare professionals. This course covers conditions common to veterans and family members of veterans and provides information on inquiring about whether the patients are veterans or family members of veterans, and screening for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, risk of suicide, depression and grief, and prevention of suicide.

Course Format

This course contains downloadable online lessons (PDF) and a practice test. When you’re ready, purchase the course by clicking the “Add To Cart” button. This will let you take the test, complete the course evaluation and receive your certificate for CE credits.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the importance of mental health screening for veterans
• Explain the diagnostic criteria for PTSD
• Describe the assessment of suicidal ideation

Course Syllabus

1.   DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD

2.   Primary Care PTSD Screening

3.   Trauma Driven Screening

4.   Self-Report Screening Instruments

1.   Patient Health Questionnaire-2

2.   Patient Health Questionnaire-9

3.   Screening Recommendations for PHQ-2 and PHQ-9

1.   Traumatic Grief

2.   Complications of Bereavement

3.   Assessment of Complicated Grief In Returning Veterans

1.   Assessment of Suicidal Ideation

2.   Suicide Risk Factors

3.   Suicide Risk Prevention