New Brain Technology Offers Hope for Veterans’ Mental Health
This Veterans Day highlights the mental health challenges veterans face, with a Marine-turned-psychologist suggesting that new advancements in brain technology could help change how these issues are understood. For years, the military has been trying to reconcile visible and invisible injuries, but with rising suicide rates and ongoing struggles with untreated post-traumatic stress, some veterans are looking to modern science for solutions that traditional methods often fall short of providing.
Amber Deckard, Ph.D., a psychiatrist and director at the Neuropsychological Services and Neurocognitive Assessment Program at Caron Treatment Center, served in the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007. Now, she employs advanced neuroimaging and assessments to assist veterans in understanding and healing from less apparent brain injuries.
“Stigma is still a huge barrier,” she notes. “Many veterans worry that seeking help might make them seem weak or could cost them benefits they currently have.”
Deckard’s program utilizes a mix of quantitative EEG, PET scans, and neurocognitive testing to chart how trauma, concussions, and substance abuse alter brain function. She emphasizes that this technology provides “objective evidence” of injuries that can’t be seen.
“It’s not just a matter of being anxious or depressed,” Deckard explains. “We can actually show how trauma has impacted the brain and track improvements over time.” This distinction is crucial, as data indicates about 60% of service members with mental health issues do not seek assistance.
In 2022, the statistics were stark: there were 6,407 veteran suicides at a rate of 34.7 per 100,000, nearly double that of non-veteran adults. Moreover, roughly 31% of those receiving care through the Veterans Administration had a mental health diagnosis this year.
Many of Deckard’s patients are grappling with PTSD and substance use disorders related to repeated concussions and other physical assaults. Each undergoes an extensive evaluation that includes brain imaging, cognitive testing, and assessments of attention, memory, and executive functions.
This comprehensive approach allows for what Deckard describes as neurorestorative care—treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy, electrotherapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation aimed at retraining the brain.
“Patients participating in neurorestorative care often show significant improvements in various areas,” she shared. “Visible outcomes include better blood flow, enhanced brain activity, improved memory, and reduced feelings of depression.”
However, it’s important to note that this technology is not yet widespread in the VA system, which varies significantly in terms of access and resources. Deckard expresses hope for a change, stating, “We’re not reinventing the wheel. These tools are available; the challenge is to bring them together effectively.”
Ultimately, Deckard believes the key message this Veterans Day transcends technology. It’s about acknowledging the reality of invisible wounds and the possibility of recovery. “Veterans remain warriors even when they return home. We just need to equip them with the tools necessary for their healing journey,” she concluded.
