Brain Injury Awareness Month
Posted by
Chrissie ColeMarch 11, 2008 1:27 AMEach year approximately 300,000 people suffer from some type of head or brain injury. In many cases, they require months, sometimes years of intense therapy.
The state of Illinois is helping veterans who suffer with brain injuries. The program is called the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program.
Nearly ten to twenty percent of redeploying military personnel display symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to the Army Surgeon General.
TBI displays various symptoms from mild to severe and can include: headaches, confusion, dizziness, ringing ears, sleep disturbances, mood changes, memory problems, behavior changes, short attention span and more.
Severe TBI symptoms include: periods of unconsciousness, seizures, coma and physical impairments.
The Illinois initiative is the first of its kind in the United States. The Army does not routinely screen for Traumatic Brain Injury. The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program offers TBI screening to military veterans and National Guard.
The Warrior Assistance Program offers TBI screening, and a 24 hour toll-free confidential, psychological helpline staffed by health professions to assist veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The helpline number is 1-866-554-IWAP (4927).