But many people may not be aware that those celebrations could affect others in a negative way.Â
Whether it s the booming sounds, bright sights, or even the burning smell fireworks can cause nightmares, flashbacks and anxiety in those with PTSD who fought for those freedoms we re celebrating. Smells in particular, that old factory system, our sense of smell and our connections to the brain, that s very powerful. And then when a person smells those smells again - which may be many years later - that can often activate those traumatic memories to rush back and cause a powerful anxiety response in the individual, said Dr. Robert Connell, acting associate chief of staff for mental health services with the Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS).
HAVRE, Mont. - Since the first talks of a COVID-19 vaccination coming to Montana, one of the biggest concerns was getting these vaccines to rural parts of the state.Â
Now, a new pilot program could be the key to getting Montana s vets in the furthest part of the state vaccinated.Â
Montana s Department of Veteran Affairs was selected to lead a national veterans health administration pilot program. Because of the nature of the state of Montana, we re highly rural, we re also a mountain state.We were up here in less than an hour with the vaccine. It was probably still frozen when it arrived. So, it just enables VA to get vaccines in rural and highly rural areas, said Dr. Judy Hayman, the executive director for Montana VA Health Care System.Â