Marginalized Women Veterans With PTSD - Free Essay Example

MARGINALIZED WOMEN: VETERANS WITH PTSD Veterans with PTSD In 2015 a study was conducted that showed an increase of about 47 percent of women veterans that are utilizing the Veteran Administration healthcare system, (Shivakumar, Anderson, Suris, North, 2017). These women are much younger than their male colleagues in the same positions. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD is one of the most common diagnosis among women the ages 18-44, (Shivakumar, Anderson, Suris, North, 2017). Around 7.5 percent of the total patients seen by the VA healthcare system in 2015 consisted of women. (Kehle-Forbes, Harwood, Spoont, Sayer, Gerould, Murdoch, 2017). It was shown that women use the VA services more frequently than males, but care of those veteran women is lacking and needs to be enhanced. Women report feeling not welcomed and an inconsiderateness to their needs was apparent. The woman studied, discontinued their care because they felt as though the provider was not meeting their needs, (Kehle-Forbes, Harwood, Spoont, Sayer, Gerould, Murdoch, 2017). Less than half of woman veterans that received services for mental health within the VA system felt as though their needs had been met, (Kehle- Forbes, Harwood, Spoont, Sayer, Gerould, Murdoch, 2017). This paper examines the common issues women veterans encounter when receiving mental healthcare for PTSD from the VA healthcare system. These issues will be addressed as well as social justice problems, ethical issues, socio-economic problems and strategies of action to bring about positive outcomes. An action plan will be prepared and conveyed to the VA Hospital administration in hopes that it will be taken into consideration to create a new process to help female veterans in obtaining adequate care. Several scholarly studies and evidence-based methods as well as current guidelines will be applied to create this action plan. It is important to consider any gender differences when managing the unique needs of the female veterans. There is room for enhancements in assessment, improved screening tools, and treatments that coincide with current interventions to minimize the psychological impact and encourage recovery. Current Incidence and Prevalence recent study showed that 17 percent of The National Guard and 15 percent of active military are A female. The same study also showed that 20 percent of new recruits are women, (Conard Sauls, 2013). About half of these woman deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. These missions place these women right in the middle of the action in war zone territories, (Conard Sauls, 2013). they are not in direct combat, they Even if are exposed to the war zone in other ways such as medical units. In todays military, woman take on the same roles and tasks as the men they serve beside including combat pilots, police, intelligence, medical personal, etc, (Conard Sauls, 2013). Suicide and car bombings, roadside bombs, and ambushes are just some of the hostile situations these woman endure. Even when in noncombat type rolls, they are exposed to these violent a encounters and witness other traumatic events such as sexual assault, torture, and death. This can be a daily occurrence and when unable to return home and step away from these situations, leads to post traumatic stress it a it disorder, or PTSD, (Conard Sauls, 2013). Sensory exposure happens to many medical service women due to the constant exposure to dying patients and leads to woman having difficulty caring for the wounded in combat zone, (Conard Sauls, 2013). Anxiety, depression and PTSD go hand in hand and commonly present together increasing the risk of suicide among this group. The reports are outstanding, with woman veterans times more likely to commit suicide than non-military woman, (Conard Sauls, 2013). These woman being 3 a have an absence of personal hygiene and privacy as well as other issues that their male counterparts do not experience. Along with the added stress of war, these women also have chance of extended deployments, a (Conard Sauls, 2013). About 20 percent of female veterans deployed to Iraq have been diagnosed with PTSD, (National Center for PTSD, 20118). Socioeconomic Aspects of Women Veterans with PTSD A PTSD impacts the female veterans quality of life and vulnerability while deployed. study showed that 59 percent of the woman veterans had unmet medical needs and also screened positive for PTSD in the 12 months prior. Cost was reported as the delay in seeking care, (Lehavot, Der-Martirosian, Simpson, Sadler) A PTSD is a it Social Justice The effect of social justice and injustice of mental health and the VA Healthcare system majorly impact female veterans and their treatment for PTSD. In a survey of female veterans with PTSD that deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, found that their opinion of treatment of their mental illness from the VA to be negative rather than positive, (Fox, Meyer, Vogt, 2015). They also felt that male veterans were treated better than the female veterans and swayed their longing to seek out treatment at the VA, (Fox, Meyer, Vogt, 2015). There is a stigma that accompanies any mental illness in itself, but for women veterans with PTSD to feel as though they are being treated differently because of sex is an injustice to not only them, but the entire VA system. Ethical Issues Suicide and PTSD in our veterans has been a big topic in the mainstream media. There is a huge stigma associated with mental illness and suicides, veterans with PTSD owning firearms, and the VA sy stem in general, (Bongar, Sullivan, James, 2017). Politics and avoidance of responsibility has dominated over ethical obligations to the female veterans with PTSD. Cost and financial obligation have become more of an ethics issue when dealing with our female veterans. Fear of judgement sometimes tends delay woman from seeking care and treatment, (Koven, 2017). The substandard care of women veterans with PTSD has a negative effect on the nations citizens because it causes distrust of the government. Theses woman risk their lives for a country that refuses to give quality mental health care, (Koven, 2017). Washington, 2013). recent study found that most of the women with PTSD did not have any insurance other than the VA and they did not know that they were eligible for VA benefits, (Lehavot, Der-Martirosian, Simpson, Sadler, Washington, 2013). Recent reports have shown that many female veterans feel uneasy in societal institutions because of instances that occurred in combat. (Jackson, 2014). Morbidity and mortality of not directly related to socioeconomic status however, may impede the accessibility of seeking treatments and in turn lower the chance of positive outcome. Plan to address this group Change needs to happen in regard to treatment strategies for our female veterans who suffer with PTSD. The American Psychological Association (APA) Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will need to be evaluated and improved. This needs to start in the primary care setting and can easily be done by recognizing and screening all veteran females, (Sarah Christopher, 2017). Social support has been shown to drastically impact female veterans who return from deployment. Symptoms are more controlled when women are able to talk about their feelings of PTSD with people close to them. Reports have shown that they adjust better when accepted by group and are able to have that release, (National Center for a Conclusion In conclusion, the VA system needs to convey accessibility, trustworthiness, and discretion for woman with PTSD. Recognizing PTSD symptoms by utilizing better screening tools and the clinical practice guidelines will lead to earlier treatment and education of female veterans with PTSD. Social stigmas associated with mental health need to be recognized and demolished so that female veterans can feel as if the care they need is achievable. The VA will start to enroll female veterans with PTSD to patient specific programs because the evidence supports this new process and provides them with the adequate care that is required for healing. Encouragement to join support groups, social clubs, and any positive group settings to help reintroduce these female veterans back into the community and help create a support system. PTSD, 2018). Positive motivation should be given to join groups like the VFW to get involved with functions to give those needed outlets veterans in order to help create social connections, (National Center for PTSD, 2018). References Bongar, B., Sullivan, G., James, L. (2017). Handbook of military and veteran suicide: Assessment, treatment, and prevention Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1945129743?accountid=28179 Conard, P. L. and Sauls, D. J. (2014), Deployment and PTSD in the female combat veteran: A systemic review. Nurs Forum, 49: 1-10. doi:10.1111/nuf.12049 Fox, A. B., Meyer, E. C., Vogt, D. S. (2015). Attitudes about the VA health-care setting, mental illness, and mental health treatment and their relationship with VA mental health service use among female and male OEF/OIF veterans.Psychological Services, 12(1), 49-58. doi: 10.1037/a0038269 Jackson, L. (2014). The relationship between PTSD symptoms, social and mental health I. factors, and quality of life outcomes in sample of african-american women combat veterans a dissertation] Available from PILOTS: Published International Literature On Traumatic Stress. (1800697602; 94119). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1800697602?accountid=28179 Kehle-Forbes, S. M., Harwood, E. M., Spoont, M. R., Sayer, N. A., Gerould, H., Murdoch, M. (2017). Experiences with VHA care: qualitative study of U.S. women veterans with self-reported Koven, S. G. (2017). PTSD and Suicides Among Veterans†Recent Findings. Public 19(5), 500-512. doi:10.1080/10999922.2016.1248881 Integrity, trauma histories. BMC Womens Health, 171-8. doi:10.1186/s12905-017-0395-x Lehavot, K., Der-Martirosian, C., Simpson, T., Sadler, A., Washington, D., (2013). Barriers to care for women veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms. Psychological 10(2): 203-212. doi: 10.1037%2Fa0031596 Services Journal. PTSD: National Center for PTSD. (2018, August 01). Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/ptsd-overview/women/traumatic-stress-female-vets.asp Sarah K., D., Christopher W., L. (2017). Errors in the 2017 APA Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01425/full A doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-16-00440 of PTSD: What the Data Actually Says. Frontiers In Psychology, Vol 8 (2017), Shivakumar, G., Anderson, E. H., Sures, A. M., North, C. S. (2017). Exercise for PTSD in women veterans: 182(11), e1809-e1814. proof-of-concept study. Military Medicine.

Teenage Pregnancy Young Pregnant Teens at a Shelter - 1375 Words

Teenage Pregnancy: Young Pregnant Teens at a Shelter (Essay Sample) Content: Teenage Pregnancy: Young Pregnant Teens at a ShelterCustomer Inserts His/Her NameCustomer Inserts Grade CourseCustomer Inserts Tutors NameWriter Inserts Date Here (Day, Month, Year)BeginningsDuring the initial stages of a group, it is evident that there are various issues faced. However, it is the manner in which such issues are addressed that group cohesiveness is enhanced. Even though there are so many issues of concern, some of these are personality differences, differences in goals, communication issues, and trust issues. When working with young pregnant teens at a shelter, it is evident that their area of concern is pregnancy. However, this does not make them the same in needs and personalities. Some of the teens might have supportive families and thus pushing well with their pregnancies while others are having difficulties as they are neglected by their family members and friends. It is after showing each one of them that their issues are important and would be addressed that group cohesion would be achieved. Differences in teens issues also lead to differences in goals (Dupper, 2008). Nevertheless, the young teens have to work as a team in order to enhance their cohesiveness. The team leader should therefore set mutual goals that serve the needs of each teen.Further, during the initial phases of a team, communication might be a major issue. This is based on the diversity of the team members with each preferring a different type of communication. It is also as a result of communication issues that some team members are unable to express their feelings and problems. This way, it becomes impossible for the team leader to help them. However, with free and open communication, each team member would be encouraged to share any challenges she has. This can be resolved through catharsis in which the social worker gives each team members an opportunity to express her feelings including the ones buried within. This gives the team members a sense of belonging and identity improving cohesiveness as they feel part of the team (Brandler Roman, 2015). The last problem is on trust issues that are resolved through free interaction and the feeling that each team member can trust and have confidence on the social worker. In this case, the teens should feel free to share their problems with the social worker without any fear of ridicule or disclosure to other people.MiddlesA social worker is convinced that the groups is entering the middles after he sees the group members move from a cautious and evaluative positions to a confrontational, intimate, and competitive phase. As the team members confront and compete with each other, the social worker is now convinced that they are entering a new phase. It is through competition that the team members understand the roles they can fit in and occupy them. It is therefore the role of the social worker at this phase to push the team of the pregnant teenagers to a greater level of intimacy so th at they are able to explore their feelings and make it to have them resolved (Wood Tully, 2006). The social worker can therefore open a discussion in which the pregnant teenagers would explain what they expect from the group and how they wish the team was managed.In order for the middle phase to be successful, cohesiveness should be enhanced. Nonetheless, this might be challenging if the team has trust issues, avoidance problems, and failure to clarify the contract. This might lead to vulnerability feeling, tentative exploration, and fear of exposure. The social worker should therefore employ strategies that would increase a feeling of safety and confidence in the group (Brandler Roman, 2015). It is after the pregnant teens feel that they have confidence with each other and are safe in the group that they would feel free to share anything. This helps the social worker to understand them better since it is after analyzing their feelings and experiences that the social workers would identify their issues and set goals to be achieved. Communication should also be effective with the teens given an opportunity to express their feelings with each other and with the social worker.EndingsWhile ending the group is inevitable, Conyne (2013) argues that this comes with various challenges. For instance, all the team members feel a sense of loss since they need to adapt to a different way of living. If an individual leaves the team, the remaining team members have to learn to live with the loss. If it is the entire group separating, the team members have to learn living individually on in different constituted groups. This means living with other new people that a person is not accustomed to. For the case of the pregnant teenagers, ending of the group means that the comfort one is used to living with people of the same age and sharing similar problems is gone. The teens therefore face a great challenge trying to strike a balance between maintaining what has been gained f rom the team experience and adapting to a new life.During the ending phase, the major goal of the social worker is to ensure that the team members maintain what has been gained from the team. At this phase, the social worker should encourage the tees to express their hidden feelings including anger and sorrow. This helps in ensuring that no challenge is left unresolved and the team disbands in honesty. The social worker should also not rush into the ending phase. He should rather prepare the team slowly to the stage. In addition, he should emphasize on the power of the self so that each teen learns to live independently (Brandler Roman, 2015). The social worker should also demonstrate authority since in most cases, the team members are afraid of being left alone and thus would do anything to stick with the group. Without adequate authority, the social worker would sympathize with the teens and thus would not disband the team even when it is no longer beneficial.Group Work and Socia l WorkingA group is a powerful mechanism for change if the team leader works collaboratively with the team members. In order to ensure that all team members are committed to the change, Carroll (2011) argues that the team members should have the personal issues considered. When setting the goals and planning the change, individual goals should be incorporated. In addition, the team leader should set the goals together with the team members and plan the change together. The team members should therefore be actively involved in the change process from the beginning and give suggestions that ensure that the planned change is effective. Change would therefore be successful through teams if different views are considered and team members are involved to avoid resistance based on gossip and rumors.Groups are therefore very beneficial because it is through them that diverse suggestions are given thus coming up with the most appropriate strategy or plan. When working with groups, it is als o possible for each group member to learn from the other thus improving results. For instance, in this case of working with pregnant teens, the tee...