New network for veteran support

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a major condition affecting the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of post-9/11 combat veterans. To meet the need for PTSD treatment, UT Health San Antonio has launched an initiative to increase the number of community clinicians qualified to provide the leading therapies.

The STRONG STAR Training Initiative–Texas will train veteran-serving mental health professionals across the state in two evidence-based treatments, prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy. Those providers will commit to treating at least five veterans each.

The initial phase of the program provides workshops at no cost to eligible providers and organizations in seven cities around Texas and is funded by a grant from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, via its Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Program.

In 2018, the program will expand nationally through a $200,000 grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The national effort in 2018 will provide training for 200 mental health providers. Each provider will commit to treat at least five veterans, benefiting at least 1,000 veterans.