Cecilia Keaveney
Question:394 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Defence the facilities and resources available for those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2132/98]
Written Answers. - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The Defence Forces operates a stress management and post traumatic stress disorder programme.
The purpose of the stress management programme is to educate personnel in stress recognition and to provide support to personnel so that they can emotionally deal with trauma and stressful situations in an appropriate and timely manner. This programme is implemented through the personnel support service, the chaplaincy service and the Defence Forces psychologist.
Cases of post traumatic stress disorder, a psychiatric disorder which may occur following exposure to a major traumatic event, are referred to the military psychiatrist at St. Bricin's Hospital.
A multi-disciplinary approach to case management is generally adopted. The team led by the psychiatrist will include nurses of the ANS with training in counselling skills, social workers of the PSS and appropriate colleagues. Where it is considered appropriate the psychiatrist may also refer cases to civilian agencies, particularly clinical psychologists.