FORT SILL, Okla. -- The Fort Sill Religious Support Operation in conjunction with the Veteran Affairs Chaplaincy is sponsoring a half-day training to assist civilian clergy, pastors, rabbis, and deacons with ministering to service members, veterans and their families. The training will be conducted April 4 from 8:45 a.m. to noon at the Frontier Chapel at 4121 Thomas St.
This training is design to provide local pastors and ministry teams on how to care for our Service Members, Wounded Warriors, Veterans and their Family Members. The training will cover veterans' benefits, mental health services, family counseling, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Returning veterans are suffering from PTSD and depression in very large numbers. For those who do seek care, the literature shows that a significantly larger percentage of individuals consult their clergy first rather than a psychiatrist or a primary care physician. However, most clergy may lack the training and knowledge to understand the impact of combat on the mental health of returning service members or how to recognize service members and their family who are in need of help.
Chaplain (Col.) Sherman Baker, Fort Sill Garrison chaplain, and Chaplain Philip Chandler, Oklahoma City VA Chaplain, are facilitating this training. For more information, call the Fort Sill Religious Support Office at 442-3002.
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