Hidden Wounds of War
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Save the date for next year's conference!
Since the beginning of time — at least since Homer’s Iliad — veterans and their families have struggled with the silent epidemic of Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries sustained during combat and other difficult situations that arise in military service. The Hidden Wounds of War conference brings awareness and education to the community about treatments and resources.
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Hidden Wounds of War 2022 Highlights
How can we better serve those who serve and have served us? This question challenges us to think about those who gave much and those who gave all, to serve our communities and nation. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought increased stress to our veterans, medical service workers, first responders, families, and communities. All too often, the psychological trauma experienced by those on the front lines is suffered in silence. The aftereffects of service bring the hardship home. By embracing honest discussion and developing strong support networks, winning the battle against these harrowing challenges is possible.
Dr. William P. Nash, MD, clinical psychiatrist at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and consultant to the UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence and the United Nations, was this year's keynote speaker. Dr. Nash shared from his experience working with combat and occupational stress injuries. In addition to Dr. Nash's keynote presentations, we held morning and afternoon breakout sessions addressing these topics. Select sessions were available for social work CEU credit.
The Hidden Wounds of War Conference was hosted by the Hauenstein Center in partnership with Grand Valley State University’s Peter F. Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center, the West Michigan Veterans Coalition, and the Kent County Veteran Services Office.
Hidden Wounds of War 2022 — Combat and Occupational Stress Injuries
Hidden Wounds of War 2021 — Moral Injury
Hidden Wounds of War 2019 — Substance Misuse
Hidden Wounds of War 2018 — Depression & Suicide Prevention
Hidden Wounds of War 2017 — Moral Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Environmental Exposure on the battlefield
Hidden Wounds of War 2014 — PTSD