National Non-Profit Organization Offers Free Mental Health Services to Military and Militar...( WASHINGTON Sept. 10 -- Give an H...),Health

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Give an Hour, a non-partisan, non-profit organization offering free mental health services to returning Veterans and their loved ones, announces that there are 575 providers, nationwide, on its network ready to help America's Armed Forces and their families.

In an effort to supplement the mental health services already provided to the military through the military health care system, Give an Hour's services are available to the service member, their immediate family, and their extended families and loved ones, including parents, siblings and significant others (who are often directly affected but not covered by the military).

"We are thrilled to have 575 licensed mental health professionals on our network," notes Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Barbara V. Romberg. "What our Veterans and their families and loved ones are experiencing as a result of deployments, traumatic brain injuries and other devastating physical injuries, PTSD and more is incomprehensible to the general population. The sheer number of people being affected makes in virtually impossible for the very competent but overtaxed military health care system to provide help to everyone who needs it," says Dr. Romberg.

Research indicates that a major barrier preventing military personnel from seeking appropriate treatment is the perception of stigma associated with treatment. Many fear that seeking mental health treatment will jeopardize their career or standing. Give an Hour's services are endorsed by many veterans service organizations, but separate from the military, offering an essential option for men and women who might otherwise fail to seek or receive appropriate services.

"While our primary focus is to get much needed counseling and other mental health services to the folks that need it, the other unique aspect of our organization is a kind of 'pay-it-forward' idea that the people receiving services will then gi
'/>"/>