Operation Enduring Freedom: Trauma Case Study
Spirituality is an important factor for those service members that have experienced trauma during combat. According to Tanielian, Jaycox, Schell, Marshall, Burnam, & Ebner (2008), the three major effects of experienced trauma during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) were traumatic brain injuries (TBI), major depressive disorder (MDD), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (as cited in Kick & McNitt, 2016, p. 98). To help ease the pain of such illnesses, some service members rely on their faith. Ben-Ezra, Palgi, Sternberg, Berkley, Eldar, Hildai, & Shrira (2010) note that those service members that rely on their faith have better psychological wellness results (as cited in Kick & McNitt, 2016, p. 104). However,
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Service members are taught to conquer the objective. Some service members have an understandably difficult time negotiating their faith with the death and destruction they may have been exposed to. Witnessing these catastrophes could shake their otherwise strong faith. God says in Isaiah 41:10 (HSBC) “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand”. This verse reminds shaken service members that He is always with them, He is omnipotent. There are many verses like this throughout His word. The faith-based social worker must search verses such as these and use them to remind the service member that he or she is not alone.
I think that before integrating the Christian faith into social work with service members, it is important to conduct a spiritual assessment. According to Hodge and Holtrop (2002), a “spiritual assessment provides social workers with a means to understand clients’ spiritual strengths, beliefs, and values—in short— their worldview” (p. 168). Conducting a spiritual assessment will make the social worker more sensitive to the views of the service member, even if the views are not Christian-based. It is important to keep personal views
Service members are taught to conquer the objective. Some service members have an understandably difficult time negotiating their faith with the death and destruction they may have been exposed to. Witnessing these catastrophes could shake their otherwise strong faith. God says in Isaiah 41:10 (HSBC) “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand”. This verse reminds shaken service members that He is always with them, He is omnipotent. There are many verses like this throughout His word. The faith-based social worker must search verses such as these and use them to remind the service member that he or she is not alone.
I think that before integrating the Christian faith into social work with service members, it is important to conduct a spiritual assessment. According to Hodge and Holtrop (2002), a “spiritual assessment provides social workers with a means to understand clients’ spiritual strengths, beliefs, and values—in short— their worldview” (p. 168). Conducting a spiritual assessment will make the social worker more sensitive to the views of the service member, even if the views are not Christian-based. It is important to keep personal views