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Office of External Communications |
Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199 |
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Contact: Contact:
Mike Emery |
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OF UH FILM SCREENING, DISCUSSION Approximately 30 percent of men and women who return from combat zones are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports Freedom From Fear, a mental health advocacy organization. This debilitating anxiety disorder can linger for many years inflicting emotional numbness and provoking frightening flashbacks. To address PTSD’s impact on veterans and their loved ones, the University of Houston Veterans’ Services Office (VSO) and Psychological Research and Services Center (PRSC) are teaming up for a screening of the documentary “When I Came Home” followed by a panel discussion on PTSD. This free event runs from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., July 11 in the Pacific Room of UH’s University Center and is open to the public. “When I Came Home” focuses on the challenges faced by veteran Herold Noel, who returned from the Iraq war with PTSD and with only his car as a place to live. Following the film, a panel of mental health professionals will discuss PTSD and answer questions from the audience. Among the panelists are Peter Norton, UH professor of psychology and director of UH’s Anxiety Disorder Clinic, and Thomas B. Mitchell, counselor and director of the U.S. Veterans Initiatives’ Houston office. “Americans are very proud of the veterans who have served our country, but most do not realize the immense challenges faced by former soldiers,” said Allen Grundy, manager of the VSO. “This film will shed light on issues facing our vets, and the discussion will offer an insightful dialogue on how PTSD affects those who have seen combat and how they can overcome it.” The VSO provides assistance to veterans enrolled at UH in a number of areas, including UH’s admissions process and educational benefits. VSO also assists in veterans’ transitions to civilian life by offering credit evaluation for military training, career development programs and access to computers, phones and fax services. The PRSC serves the Houston community by providing low-cost mental health services such as screenings and individual therapy and group treatment for depression and anxiety disorders. It also offers intellectual, developmental and personality assessment and evaluation for children and adults. Treatment and assessment services are conducted by advanced doctoral students under the supervision of clinical psychology faculty.
For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom. |
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