Nearly 5.5 million Americans are caring for service members and Veterans, many of whom are impacted by post traumatic stress. The VA is expanding innovative efforts to help Veterans and their loved ones learn to be healing to each other through the Warrior to Soul Mate program.
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
For years, Ralph Lynn, a former Marine sniper in Iraq, suffered from undiagnosed PTSD. “My own relationship with my wife suffered to the point of divorce. After I got help, I am happy to say I am re-married to my best friend.” Ralph and his wife Michelle today help other Veterans through marriage and relationship education retreats offered by the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia.
After becoming trained as Marriage Education Instructors by the nonprofit PAIRS Foundation in 2011, Deborah and Todd Lovell today lead marriage retreats for visually-impaired Veterans and their spouses at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia.
Coast Guard chaplains from around the country are meeting in Tampa this week to consider the “Soul of Leadership.” PAIRS CEO Seth Eisenberg spoke to the group about the impact of evidence-based marriage education and relationship skills training.
Helen Gallen, LMSW, feels a special commitment to families impacted by combat deployment. The Tulane graduate says leading marriage enrichment retreats for veterans and their spouses through the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center has helped her contribute to the lives of those who have served America and provided a priceless gift for her own marriage.
At a conference sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, PAIRS CEO Seth Eisenberg shared lessons from the frontlines of the battle to help America’s returning warriors succeed in the mission to preserve and protect their marriages and families after combat deployment.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports substantial mental health and adjustment difficulties among servicemen and women returning from combat deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan. This week, Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called for leadership from America’s foundations and philanthropists, saying time is of the essence.
