PORT ANGELES — The Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs National Chaplain Center, is offering free, two-day training to educate community clergy about issues facing returning veterans and their families following deployment.
Training will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 20-21 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 E. Lopez Ave. Seating for the workshop is limited and pre-registration is requested.
The program is supported by the Office of Rural Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Community clergy from all faiths and organization chaplains are invited to attend.
Training topics will address post-deployment readjustment challenges, the psychological, physical, behavioral and spiritual effects of war trauma on survivors, and the important role of community — such as clergy and congregations — in helping to reduce mental health stigma and support veterans and their families.
Attendees will learn about Veterans Affairs and community mental health services and who clergy can contact to request information or assistance.
It has been estimated that one-fourth of individuals who seek help for a mental health problem do so from clergy.
Clergy and houses of worship are an important contact points for veterans, especially in rural communities, organizers said, adding that clergy might recognize veterans who are struggling in their return to civilian life, but not know how to support them.
The training aims to help clergy understand the differences between military and civilian culture, provide guidance for pastoral care to veterans and their families, and teach them to recognize some signs and symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
For more information and registration, contact james.pierce6@va.gov or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 360-452-2323.
