July 10, 2013 (North Platte, Nebraska) – Veterans, active military and reservists returning home to the North Platte area now have local access to specialized mental health and peer support.
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) is now offering a new program in its North Platte office, the Clifford L. Johnson Center for Healthy Families at 120 E. 12th Street.
At Ease® is confidential trauma treatment and therapeutic support for active military, veterans and their loved ones. An important part of the program is the Vets 4 Vets peer-to-peer groups currently being established.
Jeanie Shimmin is the new At Ease® therapist for North Platte. Jeanie is the daughter of an Army Veteran and the wife of a Navy Veteran. She brings extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress and other trauma-related conditions.
Kay Connery is the Program Specialist for Veteran and Family Support. Kay is a military wife whose husband deployed to Vietnam less than a month after they were married. She has been a longtime advocate and leader in outreach to military families.
At Ease® first opened near Offutt Air Force Base in 2009. It serves active military, veterans and their loved ones affected by untreated trauma reactions and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program complements existing services offered by military and veterans’ organizations, with a focus on eliminating barriers to treatment for those suffering from the effects of deployment and the uncertainty of war.
Expanding At Ease® services into the North Platte office is possible thanks to funding from At Ease USA. All active military, veterans and their loved ones are accepted into the At Ease® program regardless of ability to pay. It is completely confidential and not part of the military system. Those interested in learning more about the program or peer support groups should call (308) 532-0587.
Media Contact: Bev Carlson, Director of Public Relations, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska bcarlson@LFSneb.org or (402) 978.5646, cell (402) 639.0957.
