By Christen Plyler
Dr. Craig J. Bryan, a board-certified clinical psychologist in cognitive behavioral psychology and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center spoke Tuesday in the Student Center.
Bryan’s speech, titled “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Military Community: Current Research and Implications,” was part of the spring Faculty Speaker Series.
Assistant Professor Dr. Scott Peters, who teaches in the Department of Counseling and Leadership, invited Dr. Bryan to conduct his presentation on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder because it relates to a course he teaches.
“I heard him speak on National Public Radio’s Fresh Air. He spoke on PTSD and I teach clinical courses that address PTSD, so I wanted my students to hear him,” Dr. Peters said.
Dr. Bryan is one of the collaborators for a $900,000 grant titled, “Assessment of Risk Behaviors Study,” one of many grants included in the Warrior Resiliency Program. The purpose of the grant is “to determine warning signs of imminent suicide threat by self-report and supervisor observation,” according to the Warrior Resiliency Program. The grant was presented at the U.S. Department of Defense Suicide Task Force Conference in San Antonio, Texas on March 11, 2010. The conference was hosted by the Southern Regional Medical Command.
Dr. Bryan’s opening presentation slide “Preventing Military Suicide” caught the attention of audience members, including faculty, students, active military and military veterans, and University President Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier.
Dr. Bryan explained how soldiers live within unique cultures that enable them to be fearless about death and self-reliance. Under duress, soldiers can exhibit limited decision control which can lead to a high probability of psychological crises.
“The goal is keeping service men healthy, so they do not attempt suicide,” Dr. Bryan said. “They deal with death, fear, and anxiety differently than the average person. And they deal with it calm, cool, and collectively.”
The Assessment of Risk Behaviors Study consists of three phases: crisis management, cognitive restructuring and relapse prevention. Dr. Bryan explained that each patient must demonstrate competency to advance to the next phase.
The audience’s attention was captured when Dr. Bryan spoke about the state of a suicidal mind.
“The possibility of committing suicide varies between people,” Dr. Bryan said. “The majority of people have a very small percentage of committing suicide – very close to nothing. However, no one has a 0% chance of committing suicide.”
United States Marine veteran Michael Ramirez, who spent nine years in the military, took notes on the presentation.
“My cousin, who is a military veteran, was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, so I wanted to attend and learn more about it,” Ramirez said.
According to military.com, “Training videos and all other resources on suicide prevention, health promotion and risk reduction can be found online at the U.S. Army’s Suicide Prevention website.”
Assistance for those showing signs for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be found on military websites and on the University campus.
Students, faculty, and staff may refer any person, active military or not, who project signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to counselor Jolene DesRoches in room 231, or call (210) 932-7856 located at the Gillette campus.
The Faculty Speaker Series continues Tuesday, April 26 with assistant professor Dr. Megan Wise De Valdez’s presentation titled, “Mosquito’s of Texas – Know Your Enemy.” The presentation will be held in the Gillette Student Center at 3 p.m.
