New Program At Rush Offers Free "PTSD Boot Camp"
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Rush University Medical Center has kicked off a new outpatient program to help veterans dealing with issues associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sarah, an Air Force veteran who served after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, has been through the new Intensive Outpatient Program offered through the Road Home Program at Rush, and she said it saved her life.
"It wasn't just showing up here and doing a little bit of therapy, because it was a lot of therapy," she said. "PTSD boot camp's three weeks, and you're exhausted. You get up and go every day. Therapy, therapy, therapy; but really cool stuff. Some really good yoga and art therapy; a dietician that comes and tells us you don't have to eat kale every day."
Dr. Mark Pollack, who chairs the Department of Psychiatry at Rush, said more than 2 million men and women have served overseas since 9/11.
"Many of them have come back with difficulties. There's a third coming back with the so-called 'invisible wounds of war,'" he said. "Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury."
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The Wounded Warrior Project was funding the Road Home program with matching grant money.
"Some of our warriors, it hasn't even manifested yet. This is not over. This is only going to get worse," said Wounded Warrior Project executive vice president Michael Richardson.
The program provides free food, lodging, and travel expenses for veterans and one family member during the three-week program. For more information, click here.
