DETROIT– The Western Regional Center of the Michigan Area Health Education Center (AHEC), National AHEC Organization and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine are jointly sponsoring/co-providing a continuing education webinar designed to provide an educational resource for health care professionals to address the behavioral health issues of returning service members and their families more effectively. “Rules of Engagement: Understanding Behavioral Needs of Service Members and Their Families,” will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2013. Health professionals should visit miahec.wayne.edu/events/rules-of-engagement-final.pdf to register. The registration fee is $20.

The webinar is part of the AHEC Veterans Mental Health Project. Now in its second year, the national initiative seeks to support civilian health care professionals in providing high-quality, culturally competent care to veterans, service members and their families. In the first year of the program, AHEC trained more than 2,700 health professionals.

“Many veterans battle with mental health issues. As more of our troops return home, it is critical that primary care professionals are equipped to address issues — particularly behavioral and mental health concerns— they may have,” said Linda Tarjeft, associate program director of the Michigan Area Health Education Center. “We are proud to support the AHEC Veterans Mental Health Project by offering continuing medical education programs that prepare health care professionals to deliver needed care to our nation’s heroes and their families.”

The program is open to physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, certified medical assistants, social workers and other behavioral/mental health providers, as well as other health providers involved in the care of patients who have served in the military and their families. Continuing education credit will be available for physicians, registered nurses, social workers, and marriage and family therapists.

Speakers will address topics related to understanding military culture, increasing awareness of behavioral health issues, and providing appropriate care and counsel for patients and their families. Presenters include Dr. Richard Long, associate dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Western Michigan University; Captain Anthony Strong, professor of Military Science at Western Michigan University; and Dr. Shirley A. Thomas, clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Wayne State University.

Organizations partnering with the Western Regional AHEC, National AHEC Organization and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine in offering this webinar include the Mid-Central Regional AHEC, Southeast Regional AHEC, Wayne State University School of School of Social Work, Western Michigan University and Michigan Primary Care Association.

For more information, visit miahec.wayne.edu or contact Lori Stegmier, executive director of the Western Regional AHEC, at 616-771-9494 or lori.stegmier@wmich.edu.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 29,000 students.