FARMINGTON — A free conference titled “Providing Behavioral Health Services for Service Members, Veterans, and their Families” is taking place from 7:30 a.m. until noon on Thursday, Sept. 20, in the Bass Room at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

The intended audience is medical and behavioral health providers, social workers and prehospital personnel who identify, assess and treat medical and mental health disorders that result from the trauma of war.

Topics will include the importance of military culture in providing treatment for veterans and their families; understanding the medical criteria and best practice treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury; post-deployment concerns of returning service members; treatment and resources for veterans and their families; and resources for health care professionals.

“For the first time in recent history, 90 percent of wounded service members have survived their injuries. As a result, a greater percent of men and women are returning home with traumatic stress disorders and traumatic brain injuries,” April Guagenti said. “This program is designed to provide an overview for providers concerning the best practices for identifying, assessing and treating mental health disorders in veterans.”

Speakers include David Hyde, M.D., medical director of Franklin Memorial Hospital; James Doherty, Togus VA Medical Center; Chantal Mihm, Psy.D., director, PTSD Clinic at Togus VA Medical Center; James Sisung, Psy.D., neuropsychologist, Togus VA Medical Center; and Col. Jack Mosher, director of operations of the Maine National Guard.

The conference is sponsored by Evergreen Behavioral Services and Franklin Memorial Hospital’s Ben Franklin Learning Resource Center. It is funded by Western Maine Area Health Education Center, a member of the Maine AHEC Network.

For information or to register for this free conference, call 779-2381.

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