Alexian conference highlights veterans' mental health issues

When Michael Henderson returned to his job as a Chicago police officer from his deployment in Afghanistan, he knew he couldn't go back to his patrol job immediately.

"The reason I didn't go back to the streets was because I knew I was not ready," the Army reserves major said. "I knew going from a combat environment back to my job as a plain clothes officer could have ended badly."

Now working as at his department's training facility, Henderson knows he's one of the few military veterans who is unafraid to seek help for any emotional stress he feels from his combat service.

"I'm good," he said. "I'm talking to people and not holding it in, but there are guys who don't want to or think they don't need to and they struggle."

Henderson was one of nearly 100 Illinois military veterans invited to speak with area medical professionals who attended a symposium hosted by the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network's Center for Medical Education Saturday in Hoffman Estates. The symposium focused on mental health issues of returning veterans.

"These are combat wounds you can't see," said Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who lost her legs in combat in Iraq. "Some guys are stubborn and don't think they need help. What I tell new soldiers is if you're willing to go get treated for a bullet wound to the shoulder, you should be willing to be treated for a wound to your head. You can't continue to do your job with either wound."

Alexian Brothers has been an early advocate for assistance to veterans and military families. The hospital system created a resource center for veterans and families after four servicemen from Elk Grove Village were killed in combat in 2004 and 2005, some within days of each other. The center offers everything from psychological counseling to assistance with benefits.

"The commitment from Alexian Brothers was to go to the edge," said Kathleen Prunty, Chief Work Force and Community Development Officer for the hospital network. "We have gone on a path where there were no directions and now we want to share the knowledge we've gathered through this effort."

Among the day's many offerings, medical professionals were able to use a virtual combat simulator designed to help treat veterans with stress disorders overcome their fears and anxiety.

Kevin Cavanaugh is a Marine who now works with the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. He can see how the simulator can be helpful.

"It's very realistic," he said. "As in any kind of therapy, anything you can do to put yourself in a position to conquer your demons, that's going to help."