Warriors Prevail Works with Illinois National Guard Service Members and Families

SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/21/2010)(readMedia)-- According to the National Guard Bureau, only about half of the veterans returning from deployment who need help will ever seek it.

"Reintegration is not something that happens overnight," said 2nd Lt. Justin Anweiler of Lincoln, Illinois National Guard Reintegration Coordinator. "It is not like a simple math problem where the answer is in black and white. It is something that takes time. While some servicemembers and their families adjust easily, others need help."

In response to these challenges, a new online program has been developed to help veterans who have a difficult time adjusting from their time overseas to their lives back home. Warriors Prevail is an Illinois-based service created by Soldiers and former Soldiers of the Illinois National Guard, helping the community in ways only other veterans can. This month, Rush Medical Center in Chicago is launching a pilot program to make the Warriors Prevail program available to the Illinois National Guard community.

"The hands-on training I received in the Guard was key to helping build this new tool for fellow Guard members and their families," said Justin Savage of Rockford, a former Illinois Army National Guard Soldier who used his multimedia and technical skills to help build the program. "Through creating an online reintegration program with other veterans, it has been extremely rewarding knowing, although not in uniform now, I'm still working to support those I've served alongside for so many years."

The program includes weekly online lessons and instant message chats with veteran peers. The lessons teach practical life skills that help Soldiers and Airmen deal with readjustment and with the day-to-day challenges they face. Many Soldiers fear that seeking help shows weakness and could affect their future prospects of getting a job. The Warriors Prevail sessions, which can be accessed at any time from any computer, are confidential and anonymous.

"I feel this is an absolutely necessary element to ensure that all our veterans can receive the assistance they need without concern about possible negative repercussions," said 2nd Lt. Brett Thurman of Chicago, a member of Company C, 341st Military Intelligence in Crestwood.

Warriors Prevail is not just for servicemembers. As everyone who has served knows, family is the backbone of the force. The program includes content to help military spouses and significant others during all phases of deployment manage expectations, learn coping and communication skills, and stay connected.

"Support from our families is imperative to the Illinois National Guard," said Eric Murray of Pawnee, Chief, Service Member and Family Support Services Branch for the Illinois National Guard. "If we do not have support from our families, we are nothing. We need a strong family support system to enable us to do our jobs at home and abroad."

Rush Medical Center is leading the statewide pilot of the Warriors Prevail program. The initiative will provide online reintegration support to 100 Illinois National Guard servicemembers and their families. Rush is already a Guard partner, having run a successful Army medic training program and other training partnerships since 2008.

"An online program is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment, and those who have depression or PTSD should seek professional help immediately," said Dr. Stevan Hobfoll, Chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Rush University and Medical College. "However, we believe that returning warriors can benefit from on-line intervention, which can help with more positive coping, aid motivation to actively problem solve and provide confidential peer support."

Warriors Prevail is a promising program that assists servicemembers and their families with a seamless reintegration and strengthens resiliency against negative effects of deployment. Servicemembers and their spouses or significant others who are interested in participating in the program should e-mail Warriors Prevail at team@warriorsprevail.com or call 773-751-0238 no later than Dec. 31, 2010.

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