A two-day conference dedicated to clinical care and community support for veterans and their families opens today in Helena, with keynote speakers and breakout sessions aimed at recognizing and treating post traumatic stress disorder.

Arranged by the Montana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, the conference is believed to be the largest ever held in the state dedicated entirely to PTSD and veteran care.

The issue jumped to the forefront in Montana earlier this year after the suicide of a National Guard soldier and combat veteran. The topic has also received national attention in recent months, with some experts warning that PTSD among returning veterans could result in a national health crisis if not properly addressed.

More than 140 professionals from across the state have signed up for the Helena conference, representing a variety of fields.

Several speakers also will share their personal experience in dealing with family members who have PTSD.

“Some clinicians don’t have a chance to interact with others who provide veteran services,” said John Wilkinson, executive director of NASW-MT, who helped arrange the event. “It’s an opportunity for networking.”

Among its many goals, the two-day conference looks to unite Montana’s clinical professionals and educate on the needs of veterans and their families. Wilkinson said he hopes the conference creates a clinical dialogue among mental health providers.

Chris Evans, the wife of a Montana soldier who served in Iraq, is slated to discuss “A family member’s perspective in dealing with PTSD.” She was reluctant at first, not wanting to share her personal experience with so many strangers.

But Evans, who served as the family readiness coordinator for the Guard while her husband was at war, believes the issue of PTSD is more widespread than many think. She continues to help others, including her husband, in dealing with issues lingering from the conflict.

“I would like to see people focus on the family of those who are suffering from it,” she said. “It’s the family members who are often suffering too. I don’t think that’s always recognized.”

Judith Acosta, a former New Yorker who treated military, police and fire personnel after traumatic incidents, will give a two-part session on verbal first aid.

Acosta, who authored a book on words that heal, said suicide rates among returning veterans are higher than non-military peers of the same age. She believes the conference can help Montana social workers get a better handle on what they’re treating, even when it’s not always evident.

“I hope we can generate awareness of the problems that veterans recently returned and who returned a long time ago have,” she said. “It’s not an easy transition for people to make. It seems to be much harder for Iraq veterans.”

Over the years, Acosta said, the popularity of labeling trauma has come and gone. In the 1980s, she said, post traumatic stress was regularly diagnosed. Then, she said, such diagnoses went away.

“The pendulum swung the other way so nobody was getting diagnosed with it any more,” she said. “People were backing away from it where it should have been a diagnostic tool. I hope this makes people aware of the fact that young men and women are coming home and are in trouble and need our help. Not just parades, but real help and understanding.”

TriWest Healthcare Alliance plans to pass a $15,000 check to Schweitzer at the conference on Friday. According to one TriWest spokeswoman, the funds will help National Guard families financially in tough times.

For more information on the NASW-MT or the conference, call 449-6208, or log on to www.socialworkers.org.

Reporter Martin Kidston: 447-4086 or mkidston@helenair.com