Education Initiatives
Education Initiatives
The National Center for PTSD's education initiatives have 2 aims. The first is to synthesize research information and coordinate communication among top scientists in the field of PTSD. The second is to disseminate that information to those who can put it to use: clinicians and other mental health care providers, policymakers, educators, Veterans, trauma survivors and their families.
Our staff who are involved in education efforts are also in a prime position to gather feedback from clinicians and providers in the field that can inform future research efforts. In this way, research and education activities compliment and reinforce one another.
The major focus of our education activities has always been America's Veterans and Service members. To this end, as we develop educational products and services, we leverage the close relationships between our education staff and their counterparts throughout VA and the Department of Defense to benefit to those priority populations. Over the years, it has become clear that the educational materials and training programs produced by the National Center for PTSD can also be of help to others who have experienced traumatic stress: disaster survivors, crime and accident victims and first responders—in short, anyone who has been exposed to traumatic events.
Our education efforts include a range of offerings—courses, brochures, videos, databases and more—that incorporate the most up-to-date knowledge gained from research. Communication has advanced to incorporate web-based programs, telehealth approaches, mobile apps and other new technologies. Our awareness efforts include the annual PTSD Awareness Month campaign—held every year in the month of June—to increase the visibility of PTSD and evidence-based treatment, and AboutFace, an online gallery of videos featuring Veterans, family members, and clinicians talking about PTSD and the value of treatment. Please view our Annual Reports for a yearly summary of our initiatives and accomplishments.
We also work to ensure professional and special provider populations involved with caring for Veterans and others who experience trauma have access to education and training opportunities. In particular, the Mentoring and Implementation, Consultation, and Tech Into Care programs provide support for health care providers in the field:
PTSD Mentoring and Implementation Program
The PTSD Mentoring and Implementation Program supports the effective delivery of PTSD treatments in VA specialty clinics by sharing administrative solutions to barriers, facilitating program development and fostering program improvement efforts based on service delivery metrics.
PTSD Consultation Program
The PTSD Consultation Program offers providers who are working with U.S. Veterans free consultation with PTSD experts. Consultants answer questions about PTSD assessment and treatment, clinical practice, resources for PTSD care, administrative and programmatic issues, and improving care for Veterans. The Consultation Program also hosts a monthly lecture series featuring expert commentary on topics derived from consultation requests.
Tech Into Care
Tech Into Care facilitates the implementation of technology into clinical care for PTSD and other mental health issues. The initiative unites practitioners, administrators, and researchers to improve the uptake of innovative practices and evidence-based interventions for Veterans. Tech Into Care hosts a monthly lecture series and podcast about how technology can help those who have, care for or treat people with mental health concerns.
