Uncovering Mental Health Issues in the Veteran Population
Target Audience: Pharmacy Tech
Course Overview
There are over 16 million veterans in the United States. These servicemen and women form a distinct community with unique healthcare needs, particularly concerning mental health. Mental health issues among veterans are not only prevalent but frequently complex due to the nature of military service, which often includes exposure to combat, high-stress environments, and the challenging transition back to civilian life. Healthcare teams will likely interact with veterans in various settings. This course offers an overview of mental health concerns among US veterans, emphasizing the unique role of healthcare teams in recognizing, accurately diagnosing, and effectively treating this often-underserved population.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Recognize the most common mental health disorders in veterans
- Understand commonly used medications, monitor their side effects, and how co-morbidities may affect treatment plans
- Provide screening and referrals for mental health conditions, including recognition of high-risk suicidal patients
- Address stigma associated with mental health
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Veterans in the Clinical Setting
III. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A. Screening for PTSD
B. Diagnosing PTSD
C. Treating PTSD
IV. Depression
A. Screening for Depression
B. Diagnosing Depression
C. Treating Depression
V. Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
A. Screening for Substance Use Disorders
B. Diagnosing Substance Use Disorders
C. Treating Substance Use Disorders
VI. Suicidal Ideation
Evaluating Suicidal Risk
VII. Case Study
A. Initial Presentation
B. Interdisciplinary Approach: At the Clinic
C. Primary Care Provider (PCP)
D. Pharmacist and PCP Collaboration
E. Behavioral Health (Two Weeks Later)
F. Patient Follow-up
VIII. Summary and Key Learning Points
From December 31, 2024 through December 31, 2027, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Ellen Feldman, MD, Becca Resnik, RN, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Ellen Feldman, Becca Resnik, and Pamela Sardo have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships regarding the subject matter discussed. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
PTCB Recognition
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".