Here is a message I received this week from Iraq. I was really excited to receive it because I can now channel your donations directly to where they are most needed!!!
“Elaine,
Thank you so much for supporting soldiers in Iraq. One of my Moms is an artist and likes to teach art therapy. So I know how therapeutic art can be… And I know that MAJ Coons can see the importance of art and expression to someone who is in distress or just needs a release. MAJ Coon is in charge of the wonderful art room at the Stress Clinic here where we are. It is so awesome what you are doing, and the trading cards are so cool, I have the lion one. Again, I want to thank you for supporting us and being so thoughtful to share something you love with us. The address below is the best place to send the care stuff so that more soldiers can benefit from it. Thank you Elaine. Please feel free to e-mail me anytime.
Sincerely, Amanda Greene”
Since receiving this Clive has done some research on the internet. I had no idea that the forces have Medical Detachment Combat Stress Control Units. Apparently there are a few throughout the States. Hopefully I will be able to make more contacts and expand our efforts!!! He also found an article about Major Larissa Coon prior to her Iraq assignment. The Major is an occupational therapist and the person I will be forwarding our supplies to. Here is a segment from the article.
“She (Major Coon) has been assigned to the 1835th Medical Detachment based in Aurora, Colo., and will be located somewhere in Iraq. While in Iraq, Larissa’s job assignment is Combat Stress Control. Her job will be to provide counseling services to the soldiers who have seen some of the worse combat or who are currently in a combat zone. She will help determine if the soldiers need transfer, what services they need or will need in the future. “I will mostly be offering preventative care,” Larissa explains. “We will offer the services they need to prevent them from having to come home. The goal is to provide the services as immediate to the event as possible to minimize the impact on their life skills.” Although much of what Larissa does at Goodland Regional Medical Center involves physical rehabilitation, much of what she will do in Iraq will involve psychological evaluation and rehabilitation. She explained that occupational therapy involves coping with both the physical and psychological impacts on life skills. The unit providing these services prior to Larissa’s unit had set up a make-shift coffee shop and wrote home asking for coffee, tea and baked items. They also made medical missions out into the small towns and villages around their unit. “I’m looking forward to doing that kind of work,” Larissa said. “It sounds like there is a lot of potential and I think we will see anybody that needs help.”
Finally, here is some information on the unit in general…………
“The Combat Stress Team is here to help soldiers who are having problems dealing with the daily stress of being in the combat zone. When soldiers come into the Combat Stress Clinic they are given an evaluation, which consists of several questions to determine the status of the soldier. Some signs that soldiers may be feeling the effects of combat stress are changes in daily activities, changes in sleeping habits, eating an improper diet or changes in behavior. Additionally, lack of attention to detail or inability to focus on daily tasks are other signs a person may be under stress. Sgt. McCright suggests that soldiers can combat stress by performing “PMCS for the body.” Soldiers need to exercise regularly, eat nutritious foods, manage their time and find activities they enjoy doing”