June 4, 2015 – Joseph C. Maroon, MD., clinical professor of neurosurgery and Heindl Scholar in neuroscience recently was the guest of the Navy SEALs Special Warfare Command Resiliency Program.  Intensive training and discipline builds a breed of war fighters who pride themselves in physical, mental and emotional toughness that is critical to their missions.  With repeated deployments under the most difficult and dangerous circumstances psychological, financial and psychosocial problems are not uncommon.  This new program is designed to identify and treat symptoms of combat stress early to prevent future major problems.  The family resiliency enterprise provides educational programs and services tailored to the needs of the SEALs and their families and help newly reunited families reintegrate after deployments.

Dr. Maroon presented an educational workshop entitled, “Concussions, post-traumatic stress, depression and chronic traumatic encephalopathy—the secrets of brain plasticity and longevity”.  He shared information on the relationship of brain trauma which also occurs in sports with that which occurs in the military.  He provided the latest science in the field of epigenetics including how better brain health is possible through the correct choices and nutrition, physical activity, the elimination of environmental toxins and the control of stress.

The goal of the program is to help the SEALs transfer from a combat mindset, give them the opportunity to process what they experienced and then help reintegrate and re-energize them with their families and society.  The resiliency program strengthens families so they have the confidence and resources to stand up to tough times while enhancing the readiness of the SEAL community.