By George T. Witter | IMCRA Manager of Outreach and Partnerships
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is one sequel to the Great East Japan Earthquake - and other natural and manmade disasters - that does not fade away with time. Recognizing this, IMCRA's Community Cyberspace Program became an integral participant of the Second Annual BUMC/VA Joining Forces Conference, held at Boston University School of Medicine, December 11th 2013.
The conference was organized in the wake of a recent White House Initiative called Joining Forces, focused on education, research and the clinical care of people suffering with TBI and PTSD. In the US, this particularly includes military veterans with additional post-deployment complications such as generalized anxiety disorder, affective disorders, and comorbid substance abuse.
IMCRA presented data on the global need for PTSD awareness and therapy, - especially in communities like Fukushima,- hard-hit physically, socially and psychologically by problems (e.g. radiation exposure) that do NOT diminish with time. We also discussed recogition of the long-term symptomatology of the disorder and how both early-stage and continuing clinical interventions can be highly beneficial both to victims and their families.
We are pleased to announce that the IMCRA website has also just opened a new section on global PTSD with several key presentations by noted medical experts captured for subsequent use and study by clinicians in Japan and worldwide. (http://www.imcra.org/Video.aspx?ContentItem.ItemID=388)
Along with its continuing efforts in Japan, our Community Cyberspace program has now expanded to initiate partnerships with other organizations such as IsraAid, Feed My Sheep, and MTI to bring both knowledge to practioners and aid to people deeply impacted by devastating and life-altering crises. We ask you to help us to continue our private psychiatric outreach to those in need.
Please note that today and tomorrow morning ONLY all donations made to the IMCRA Community Cyberspace PTSD program will be doubled.