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VA offers help for MST survivors

IRON MOUNTAIN – April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the VA uses this month to raise awareness of veterans who are survivors of military sexual trauma (MST).

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is not a diagnosis, but rather it is sexual assault or sexual harassment that a veteran experiences while serving in the military. Veterans across all military branches and from all eras of service have reported MST, and it has affected all genders, ages, racial/ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religious backgrounds, and physical sizes and strengths.

Survivors frequently have difficulties with strong emotions, sexual trauma survivors can get help from feeling emotionally “flat,” trouble sleeping, poor concentration, blaming self, substance abuse, self-harm, avoiding things that remind of the trauma, relationship difficulties, sexual difficulties, and other physical health problems.

This year’s national VA theme Sexual Assault Awareness Month is “Speaking Up, Moving Forward: VA supports survivors of military sexual trauma.” It is important for survivors of MST to know they are not alone. The VA can help. There are outpatient, inpatient, and residential services available to assist Veterans in their recovery from MST. There is also an educational support group at the VA specifically for men who are survivors of sexual trauma.

Free MST-related care is offered to all veterans even if they are not currently enrolled in VA healthcare. They do not need to have reported the incident(s) when it occurred or have other documentation to prove it. MST survivors also do not need to have a VA disability rating to be treated for MST.

Every VA healthcare facility has a designated MST Coordinator to assist Veterans in obtaining this sensitive care. The MST Coordinator at the Oscar G. Johnson VA

Medical Center is Sarita Gruszynski, LMSW. She can be reached by calling 1-800-215-8262 extension 32531.

?To learn more about MST and how VA can help, visit:

www.mentalhealth.va.gov/msthome.asp

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Sarita Gruszynski is a licensed master social worker and the Military Sexual Trauma coordinator at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical in Iron Mountain.

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