Conversations at The Carter Center "After the War: Mental Health and a Veteran's Journey Home"

Media contact: Paige Rohe ([email protected]; 404-420-5129)

UPDATE: Attendees to the Nov. 9 Conversations at The Carter Center now will have the opportunity to attend a special book signing with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, author of "Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis," and Kelly Kennedy, author of "They Fought for Each Other: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq. " 

The Nov. 9 Conversations at The Carter Center event, "After the War: Mental Health and a Veteran's Journey Home," is set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. EST and will be webcast live on www.cartercenter.org. 

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have posed a unique set of psychological challenges to troops due to multiple tours of duty and a greater prevalence of brain injury, among other factors. Experts will discuss the high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and ways in which families, communities, and the nation can support mental wellness for our veterans.

The panel includes:

• Opening remarks by Rosalynn Carter
• Sonja Batten Ph.D., assistant deputy director, patient care services officer for mental health, Department of Veterans Affairs
• Col. Thomas Carden, commander, 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard
• Thomas Bornemann Ed.D., director, Carter Center Mental Health Program
• Kelly Kennedy, reporter, Times News Service, and former Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism

Following the discussion, panelists will take questions from the audience.

After the event, a special book signing for Conversations attendeess will be held in the Ivan Allen Pavilion featuring Mrs. Carter and panelist Kelly Kennedy.

• Mrs. Carter will sign copies of her fifth book, "Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis." (Rodale, 2010)
• Kelly Kennedy, will sign copies of her new book, "They Fought for Each Other: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq." (St. Martin's Press, 2010)
• Books will be available for purchase in the Ivan Allen Pavilion before and after Conversations.

About Conversations at The Carter Center
The Conversations at The Carter Center series allows the public an opportunity to interact with Carter Center experts, policy-makers, and other special guests to discuss issues that shape our world and how individuals can contribute to positive change. All Conversations are webcast live and archived on the Carter Center's website. Learn more about the 2010-2011 Conversations at The Carter Center season.

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The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, the Center has helped to improve life for people in more than 70 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers to increase crop production.