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Ala. publishes booklet for vets’ stress

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will now get a booklet to help them deal with post-war stress and readjusting to family life.

Gov. Bob Riley unveiled the 63-page Reintegration Action Plan at the Capitol on Thursday. The booklet will be given to all returning troops from Alabama.

It includes information to help service members make a successful transition, including explaining problems they might experience and recommending places to get help.

A Pentagon task force last year reported that nearly half of all Army National Guard soldiers who served in Iraq or Afghanistan reported psychological problems when they came home.

Alabama has had more than 13,000 Guard members deployed to support the wars, Riley said.

“When you consider these brave men and women are expected to go from hell to their hometowns in a short period of time, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that they go through an incredible amount of stress,” he said in a statement.

Many groups helped develop the booklet, including the state mental health department, the Veterans Administration, Operation Grateful Heart, the Alabama Psychological Association, and Still Serving Veterans.

BUY IT: Alabama Returning Veterans Site