Discussion on veterans health scheduled

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

A discussion about combat veterans' community reintegration and behavioral health concerns will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center.

The program is for active duty service members and veterans, families, health care providers, educators, clergy, employers and law enforcement personnel. While attendance is free, register to attend at www.paxpartnership.org.

The sponsors request advance registration to manage seating and refreshments.

The program will feature presentations by Christian Davenport, Washington Post journalist and author of "As You Were: To War and Back," and Dr. Joel Scholten, associate chief of staff for rehabilitative services with the Washington, D.C., Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Davenport wrote his book after a tour embedded with the Blackhawk Battalion of the Virginia National Guard.

Scholten is a trauma specialist in combat-related post traumatic stress disorder and mild to moderate traumatic brain Injury.

"Veterans returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan have endured a distinct group of stressors linked to long tours of duty and intense urban warfare that brings violence to a very personal level," retired U.S. Navy Capt. Connie Walker, president of the Southern Maryland chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said in a press release. "[O]utreach to our men and women who have served in these theaters, rather than waiting for veterans and families in distress to seek help, is essential.

The center is at 44219 Airport Road in California.

Davenport will sign copies of his book at the conclusion of the program.