LEWISTON – Like Vietnam veterans, many of those coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered some kind of mental health affliction as a result of their deployment.

But unlike Vietnam, there is awareness of the issue, and people aren’t afraid to talk about it, officials say.

Treating post-war mental problems and helping soldiers integrate back into day-to-day life was the topic of a conference at the Ramada Inn on Friday. About 175 health professionals from around the state attended.

The conference kicked off an initiative to create a statewide directory of resources for soldiers returning from the war.

“This conference will serve as the crucial first step in creating collaborative partnerships throughout the state to better serve veterans and their families,” said Laura Gottfried, vice president of program services at Portland’s Community Counseling Center, the host of the conference, during her address to the audience.

Studies conducted by the center show that families of veterans have a hard time finding resources, center officials said. The directory, expected to be online within a week, will be comprehensive and list services across the state.

Maj. Gen. John Libby was the keynote speaker at Friday’s conference. Every unit in the Maine National Guard has been deployed to Iraq at least once, Libby said, and two are scheduled to ship out in the next year, Libby said. Seven Maine National Guard members have been killed in the war.

In Maine, 211 guard members have been awarded Purple Hearts, and 13 others have been wounded either physically or emotionally, Libby said.

The state already takes steps with National Guard members to fight against post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues, measures the federal government does not require. Counselors work with guard members before they’re deployed, and they get one-on-one counseling when they return, Libby said. The prescreening seeks to identify existing conditions.

“Some of these guys and gals may have been hockey players and had a bunch of concussions already,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud serves on the House veterans affairs committee, and is the chairman of a subcommittee on health. He spoke at the conference Friday.

Mental health is a hot topic right now nationally, and veterans services have recently received $7 billion in additional funding, he said.

The federal government is working on creating private partnerships in rural states, such as Maine, where health care can be difficult to access.

“Improvements are being made, but it has taken too long and too many veterans have already suffered more than they should,” Michaud said in his remarks.