Registration online at the rate of $20 for the Saturday Only Sessions has been extended to midnight, Wednesday, April 15.
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MarineParents.com, one of the largest and most successful civilian-run military-oriented outreach organizations in the world will host a major Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) symposium as part of the group’s annual national conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Diego April 18, 2009, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Heading the All-Star panel of PTSD experts is Dr. Bridgett Cantrell, a Seattle-based psychologist and author who for years has been at the forefront of diagnosing and treating PTSD, particularly among returning combat veterans from all branches of the armed services.

Sharing the podium with Dr. Cantrell will be Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman, USMC (Retired). Kopelman is well-versed on the effects of PTSD and the resultant casualties of this debilitating and insidious disease. He will speak to these issues, as well as the increasing rates of suicide, substance abuse and homelessness among our veterans and what can be done to help them.

The symposium will include a second track with a deployment discussion panel and a presentation on Marine Corps Mojave Viper Training. "Giving folks the ability to choose from topics in a particular stage of military life is important" said Tracy Della Vecchia, founder of the organization. "Participants can choose either the deployment track or the combat recovery track."

Colonel Richard Simcock from the Marine Corps Base at Twentynine Palms will give a presentation on Mojave Viper. Family Readiness Officers from Camp Pendleton will be on site for portions of the deployment track.

"This symposium is important on so many levels and for such a wide variety of people and professions" Della Vecchia noted. Attendance by military personnel, military families, civilians who work with the military, medical personnel interested in learning more about PTSD, and employers hiring combat veterans is recommended.

The symposium is open to the public. To cover travel and incidental costs, a $20 fee which includes lunch, will be charged to those registering early. Registrations for the discounted rate must be paid online prior to midnight Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Registration after that time will be $40. Onsite registration will be $60.

The reduced pricing of the symposium is a result of a donation provided to the organization to help offset cost and encourage attendance and opportunities to learn about PTSD.

To register online, go to www.MarineConference.com and click the "Register Online" link, or to go directly to the registration, see https://marineparentsinc.com/conference09.asp. For additional information, call the corporate office at 573-449-2003 during regular business hours.

The full conference registration fee is $175 which includes the symposium as well as programs and dinners on both Friday and Saturday.