Next Sunday, May 10, our very own Myra Elder will give us a presentation on the psychological challenges faced by our service men and women as they return from combat venues in the Middle East.
Here's Myra's synopsis of her presentation:
"The psychological toll of war takes generations to measure. After a brief historical introduction to issues specific to Appalachian veterans,we will cover the typical re-adjustment situations faced by returning soldiers. We will briefly overview the more severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which afflicts about 15% of combat veterans. The discussion will also include PTSD due to military sexual trauma. Finally, we will begin a dialogue about what we, as congregants, can do to welcome visitors/potential church members who may be struggling with these issues."
And here's a brief bio, that let's us know why Myra is qualified to speak on this subject:
"Myra Elder, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She has been working with combat veterans and their families for 14 years, through the Primary Care Clinic. She is a member of the center’s Sexual Trauma Response Team and the Women Veteran’s Advisory Council. She enjoyed being an adjunct professor for several years at Milligan College. She earned her doctorate at Temple University in Philadelphia, and she completed her internship at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY. Currently, she spends her free time playing “Duck, Duck, Goose,” “Hide and Seek,” and “Freeze Tag.”
Please join us at First Presbyterian in Elizabethton. You'll be very welcomed.
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That was an extraordinary presentation by Myra. Coming of the heels of Dr. Fitsanakis' presentation, it certainly gives us some sense of the human cost of war.
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