The Real Warriors Campaign: Reaching Out Makes A Real Difference

By OCPASeptember 8, 2009

The Real Warriors Campaign: Reaching Out Makes A Real Difference

What is it'

The Real Warriors Campaign, sponsored by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), is a multimedia public education campaign designed to reduce the stigma associated with seeking care or treatment with psychological health. With an estimated 1.8 million service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, psychological health is in the forefront for today's Soldiers and their families. In a recent Mental Health Advisory Team (MHAT) study, 12 percent of servicemembers exhibited signs of combat stress or depression during their first deployment. Those numbers rose to 19 and 27 percent during second and third deployments, respectively. These Soldiers are not alone.

The campaign seeks to remove the barriers that often prevent Soldiers from obtaining care or treatment for psychological health and traumatic brain injury the same way they would for a physical wound or illness. Seeking care and treatment can build resilience, facilitate recovery, and support reintegration for returning Soldiers and their families.

What has the Army done'

Through the Real Warriors Campaign Web site, Soldiers and families can chat online with health resource consultants, who are generally masters-level or higher health professionals. Health resource consultants can also be reached by calling the DCoE Outreach Center at 1-866-966-1020, any time, day or night. This allows Soldiers and their families to find the resources they need - when they need it the most.

Resources for active duty, National Guard, and reserve Soldiers are available as well as for family members, children and health professionals.

Information on Real Warriors can be found using various social media outlets including: TroopTube, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

Servicemembers who successfully sought care and treatment share their stories on the multimedia page of the <a href="http://www.realwarriors.net" target="_blank"> Real Warriors Campaign Web site</a>.

Why is Real Warriors important to the Army'

To achieve peak performance a Soldier must be physically, psychologically and spiritually fit. The Real Warriors Campaign is a part of that overall DoD effort to enhance psychological fitness by combating the stigma associated with seeking care and treatment.

Resources:

<a href="http://www.realwarriors.net" target="_blank"> Real Warriors Campaign Web site</a>

<a href="http://www.realwarriors.net/multimedia" target="_blank">Real Warrior Profiles </a>

<a href="http://www.realwarriors.net/family" target="_blank"> Resources for Families </a>

<a href="http://www.realwarriors.net/partner" target="_blank"> Real Warrior Partners </a>

<a href="http://www.dcoe.health.mil" target="_blank"> DCoE Website</a>

Outreach Center Toll Free: 1-866-966-1020