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Red Cross Hosts Free Reconnection Workshops for Service Members

Red Cross Hosts Free Reconnection Workshops for Service Members

September 26, 2017

Coachella Valley, CALIF. – September 25, 2017 – The American Red Cross of Coachella Valley/Morongo Basin is hosting free Reconnection Workshops for service members, veterans, caregivers and military families.

Since 9/11, service members have faced multiple deployments to conflict zones around the world. Transitioning back home can be hard, and many service members and veterans have experienced challenges readjusting into life with their families, their jobs and their communities.

Red Cross Reconnection Workshops aim to help ease that transition.

Reconnection Workshops, which are free and confidential, focus on individual and small group discussion that enhances the likelihood of positive reconnections among family members and others in the community, and the successful re-engagement of service members and veterans in civilian life.

Workshops are led by licensed mental health professionals and bridge all branches of the Armed Forces. The Red Cross invites Reserve, National Guard, active duty service members, veterans and their families to participate.

Upcoming local Reconnection Workshop dates and topics are as follows:

  • September 30, 2017– Exploring Stress and Trauma: This module is designed to help returning service members and their families recognize and manage post deployment stress and other war related concerns, including trauma issues. Left unaddressed, stress and trauma could lead to a variety of negative outcomes for the returning service member and his or her family.
  • October 7, 2017– Identifying Depression: This module is designed to help participants recognize and manage those behaviors, thoughts and feelings that could be signs or symptoms of depression. Feeling depressed is a fairly common experience. Depression is often seen in conjunction with PTSD, TBI and other disorders. This module will help participants identify problematic symptoms, find ways to address and/or manage them, and figure out when to make a referral or seek additional help.
  • October 21, 2017– Relating to Children: This module helps the participants build on their personal strengths and increase their ability to address the issues of children’s adjustment to the return of a military family member following deployment. Information about developmental issues and family dynamics are provided in a variety of activities designed to help adults reconnect with children.
  • October 28, 2017– Working Through Anger: This module addresses the anger that can occur when couples, families and other relatives and friends are reunited after a military deployment. Anger is a common feeling after deployment and is a natural human response. This module offers options for how to respond when one is faced with emotionally intense situations and events.

    • Each workshop session is offered in two-time slots: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 pm or 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 pm.

    All workshops will be offered at the American Red Cross office in Palm Desert located at: 39665 Entrepreneur Lane, Suite A, Palm Desert, 92211.

    Those interested in attending the workshops should RSVP in advance to Courtney Norton at courtney.norton@redcross.org or by phone at: (888) 831-0031 ext. 3012. Please include your workshop choice and preferred session time with your RSVP.

    For more information on Red Cross services for military service members, veterans and their families, please visit redcross.org/military.

    About the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region:

    The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region has proudly served Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties for more than 100 years. For more information, please visit_redcross.org/dts_ or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at_@RedCrossDTS or Facebook at facebook.com/RedCrossDTS.

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