Major Mental Health Associations Join to Support Gi...( Organization Provides Free Mental...),Health

Organization Provides Free Mental Health Services for Returning Troops and Families

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four major mental health associations in the United States -- American Association of Pastoral Counselors, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association and the National Association of Social Workers -- have joined to support Give an Hour's efforts to provide free mental health services to returning troops and their families.

Give an Hour is a non-profit organization that has created a national network of licensed mental health providers who have agreed to give one hour of their time each week to provide free counseling and other mental health services to military members, veterans and their families who are experiencing the psychological effects of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Currently, there are nearly 3,000 providers nationwide, more than doubling the number of providers in the last six months.

"The combined support of these four major associations underscores the magnitude of the psychological and emotional impact of war on our troops and their families, as well as the urgency of getting these critical services to those who need them," says Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen Romberg, founder and president of Give an Hour. "We are honored to be able to announce this support in advance of Veterans Day; it is a great way to commemorate the service of our military members," Dr. Romberg adds.

Dr. Douglas M. Ronsheim, Executive Director, American Association of Pastoral Counselors states that AAPC is assisting Give an Hour by utilizing their national network of licensed mental health professionals and providing an array of counseling services. "Through our connections with faith communities AAPC is also piloting models to equip congregations, churches and mosques to provide support and care. One's faith community is often the first point of contact in times of stress and crisis. It is imp
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