Video conferencing has helped to keep family, friends and business partners in touch – even if they're across the world. But those are pretty common uses of the technology. What's great about video conferencing is that it can be used in unique situations. That said, here are four neat ways video conferencing is making a difference:

1) It helps with post traumatic stress disorder.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is perhaps one of the most cancerous of disorders: left untreated, it can slowly destroy the livelihood of the victim and the victim's family. And for those who live far from treatment centers, or reside in hard-to-reach places, getting the help that's needed can be near difficult.

Difficult, but not impossible: the Canadian government is investing $800,000 in high-definition desktop video conferencing systems and $20,000 in virtual reality software to help treat soldiers afflicted with PTSD. The initiatives, dubbed Telemental Health Network and Virtual Reality Initiative Bravemind, hope to increase access and drop wait times for therapies by remote conferencing. And that's a great thing: the easier it is for soldiers to gain access to exposure therapy, even through virtual reality, the quicker they can recover.

2) It makes the justice system more efficient.

It's no secret that video conferencing can save businesses a lot of time and money. But the court of law, too, is largely limited by scheduling and making time. That, however, can soon be a thing of the past.

A 2006 study by the Federal Judicial Center showed that video conferencing helped to cut down on travel and costs and has made courtroom schedules more flexible than in the past. If a situation prevents a lawyer or judge from appearing in court, a video conference can be set up in order to hear oral arguments over the airwaves. Poorer litigants, ones who cannot afford to reach the courthouse, can still be involved with a case through conferencing.

3) It helps surgeons coordinate and reach new places.

Surgeons have found that high definition video conferencing is one of the best ways to coordinate on a live surgery from afar. Such techniques have helped to train and instruct surgeons and students without the expense of travel.

And the use of video conferencing can help experienced doctors to reach more rural areas. For example, specialists in India guided Kenyan surgeons over live video, helping to cut down on travel costs and make one patient's life easier.

4) It connects students with astronauts in space.

Ask any young student what they want to be when they grow up, and inevitably you'll hear the word "astronaut" once or twice. They may not be able to be astronauts when they're young, but that doesn't mean they can't communicate with one – even if the actual space explorer is currently orbiting 220 miles above their heads at 17,500 miles per hour.

That's right, scientists aboard the International Space Station communicated with 12,000 students in 24 sites across North America during International Education Week. Students not only conversed with astronauts on the ISS, but also got to check up on science experiments they sent up on previous flights.