Gov. Blunt Announces New Program to Provide Mental
Health Care for Families of Veterans JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt announced that the
Department
of Mental Health has initiated Help for the
Home Front (HHF), which
is a program that focuses on helping those who live with a veteran who has served in the
Global
War on Terror. The department received $650,000 from the legislature and Gov. Blunt in the 2009 fiscal year budget
to develop the program.
"My Administration has been committed to addressing
all the needs of our returning veterans and their families," Gov. Blunt said.
"We owe our gratitude to all of the patriotic
men and women who have served and are serving in our
Armed Forces defending
our freedom and values. Making these resources and support available to the families of returning veterans who need them will
help make the transition easier."
The primary goal of HHF is to assist family
members, such as spouses, children, parents and grandparents of veterans during their return from deployment. Veterans
themselves are served by the Veterans Administration. However, veterans will be able to participate in any family or
marital therapy with the family member through the HHF program.
"Oftentimes,
family members are overlooked in dealing with the anxiety and other issues that occur with returning veterans," said Dr. Joe
Parks, director of the Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services. "This program will provide resources and support
for family members of returning veterans which will ease in the transition process."
The Department of Mental Health administrative agents in the areas of the state with the largest population of veteran
families will provide outreach services anytime there is a
suicide attempt
or
mental health crisis once they are notified by local veterans' contacts.
Service
providers will be trained in veteran and military family issues.
Additionally,
there will be services offered to family members of killed or wounded veterans, and families experiencing transition issues
once the veteran returns from deployment. Traditional services, such as individual or group counseling, will be provided
to family members, adult or youth, where appropriate.
Administrative Agents participating in the Help
for the Home Front are listed below. To access information about these providers and the areas they serve, please go to
http://www.dmh.missouri.gov/cps/org/county.htm.
* Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare
*
Burrell
Behavioral Health * Ozark Center
* Community Counseling
*
BJC Behavioral Health
* Arthur Center
* COMTREA Community Treatment
*
Crider Health Center
* Family Guidance Center
*
Comprehensive Mental Health
Services
For more information on Help for the Home Front initiative, please
contact Dr. Joe Parks, Director of the Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services, Department of Mental Health.
573-751-2794;
joe.parks@dmh.mo.gov.
