The Lourdes Health System established a dedicated Military Behavioral Health Unit for Women at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County (LMCBC). The goal is to improve access to care for women and provide treatment primarily for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as drug and alcohol abuse, depression and other behavioral health issues. It is estimated that as many as 20% of military personnel deployed in the past 10 years are affected by PTSD, which is a psychological detour causing prolonged symptoms which impair daily life. The challenges for service women facing PTSD are significant, as they now represent an increasing percentage of our troops located in fields of combat and they must seek treatment in a military health system originally designed for men. Patients benefit from a combination of mainstream medicine, alternative therapies, and spirituality to enhance a healthy lifestyle. This is the first step in the development of a comprehensive military behavioral health service. The long term plans include a partial-day program, a fitness center, and holistic treatment. The Legacy Foundation grant, supported by a match from one of our clients, provided funding for the Media Center of the new Lourdes Military Behavioral Health Unit for Women. This included 10 iPads with smart cases and 10 iPods with disposable ear buds, which will enable visual conferencing with family members and also provide access to email and a music library. The need for these services is significant and Lourdes is well positioned to service this need now and in the future. For more information, please visit www.lourdesnet.org/foundation.
To Recognize And Celebrate Our Heroes And She-Roes!
