Maroon Addresses Navy SEALs

Joseph MaroonPittsburgh, June 4, 2015 -- Joseph C. Maroon, MD, clinical professor of neurological surgery and Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh, was a guest of the Navy SEALs in Virginia Beach, Va., June 4, where he gave a talk on concussions and post-traumatic stress as part of the group’s Special Warfare Command Resiliency Program. 

Dr. Maroon, an expert in brain trauma, health and sports medicine, provided the latest science in the field of epigenetics including how better brain health is possible through nutrition, physical activity, the elimination of environmental toxins, and the control of stress.

The goal of the resiliency program is to help the SEALs transfer from a combat mindset, give them the opportunity to process what they experienced, and then help them reintegrate and re-energize 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. 

With repeated deployments under the most difficult and dangerous circumstances, psychological, financial and psychosocial problems are not uncommon. The resiliency program is designed to identify and treat symptoms of combat stress early to prevent future major problems. The enterprise provides educational programs and services tailored to the needs of the SEALs and their families and help newly reunited families reintegrate after deployments. 

The SEAL’s intensive training and discipline builds a breed of servicemen who pride themselves in physical, mental and emotional toughness that is critical to their missions. The resiliency program helps the SEALs balance that unique toughness with the demands of everyday civilian life.