Moral injury is a rapidly evolving concept being used to describe aspects of invisible wounds of war that extend beyond the well-documented anxiety- and fear-based symptoms characteristic of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While related to PTSD, moral injury is distinctively characterized by exposure to or agency in perceived moral transgression, leading to experiences such as guilt, shame, and spiritual struggle. In this presentation, a psychologist and a chaplain from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Mental Health and Chaplaincy program will review moral injury through the lenses of psychology and spirituality, suggest opportunities for collaborative care, and employ veteran testimonials to explore various aspects of moral injury.
Participants will be able to: