MIRECC Presents Schedule

MIRECC Presents Webinar Schedule

June 7, 2023: Mindfulness and the Military: Cultural Considerations for Providers Working with Veterans
Kristoffer Rehder, PhD

Purpose Statement: Military culture is unique, with different traditions, values, and expectations compared to civilian life. It also has the ability to shape attitudes and behaviors that can last long after time in service. Mindfulness has shown promise in addressing mental and physical health problems in Veterans. However, providers working with veterans should be culturally competent in understanding military culture when teaching and/or practicing mindfulness. This presentation will offer insight into military culture and will compare and contrast mindfulness and military practices Salient similarities and differences will be discussed that are relevant for clinicians and researchers.

Course Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the differences and similarities between mindfulness and military practices/culture.
2. Describe how mindfulness is measured in research and clinical settings.
3. Discuss the current literature on mindfulness and Veterans, especially in the context of psychiatric conditions such as PTSD.

MIRECC Presents webinars are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month from October to June at 12pm PT (3pm ET). MIRECC Presents webinars are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month from October to June at 12pm PT (3pm ET). The target audience includes, but is not limited to, Physicians, Nurses, Psychologists, Social Workers and other professionals supporting Veteran care and active-duty combat personnel who will become Veterans. 

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Browse facilities by state

VA VISN 20 consists of four states across three time zones; Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The primary research center located at VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) is affiliated with University of Washington (UW). VAPSHCS serves Veterans from a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest with two main divisions: American Lake and Seattle. Veterans in Washington are also served by VA Medical Centers in Spokane, Vancouver, and Walla Walla. In Washington, there are VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's) located in Bellevue, Bremerton, Chehalis, Edmunds, Everett, Federal Way, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, Richland, Renton, Silverdale, Seattle, Wenatchee, and Yakima. The research center located at VA Portland Heath Care System (VAPORHCS) is affiliated with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). VAPORHCS serves Veterans from Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland and Vancouver. Veterans in Oregon are also served by VA Medical Centers in Roseburg and White City. In Oregon, there are CBOC's located in Bend, Boardman, Brookings, Enterprise, Eugene, Fairview, Grants Pass, Hines, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, LaGrande, Lincoln City, Newport, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, Warrenton, and West Linn. VA provides health care for Veterans from providers in your local community outside of VA. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed.

Vet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers provide counseling to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. If you can’t make it to a nearby Vet Center, VA offers satellite Vet Center locations and Mobile Vet Centers that may be closer to you.

Explore VA.gov

VA has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options, and more — all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters, and the general public. Explore the pages below to learn more about a specific mental health topic. Each of these pages includes resources, information on treatment options, and more.

Stories of Support