Not Just BBQs and Parades: Veterans Face Mental Health

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As Memorial Day approaches, we prepare to acknowledge and honor those who fought for our country to protect us. So many soldiers and veterans from year to year are deployed to different countries and experience life-changing events that may cause them to have traumatic disorders, or them to function differently.

The most known and discussed mental health challenges regarding veteran service members are Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. According to research conducted by pubmed.gov, studies suggest that approximately 14% to 16% of U.S. service members who have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have experienced either PTSD or depression.

Although society has recognized these mental health concerns, other issues like suicide, traumatic brain injury (TBI), substance abuse, and interpersonal violence can be equally as harmful and detrimental in this population. The various effects of these mental health issues can extend far past the veteran and substantially impact service members and their families.

As technology has advanced, it is becoming a little easier for families to stay connected as possible. But before this advancement, families had to rely on traditional methods of communication, such as writing letters, and even sending care packages filled with gifts and items that they may need.

Families may often experience loneliness, whenever it comes to building relationships in the physical nature.
To be able to discuss post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, we must understand that it reaches far past the war zone, but it also can occur between communication and the feeling of underachievement with one’s own family.

Studies have shown that many veterans often tell doctors and physicians that they are completely fine and have not been affected to a point where they need therapy or medical attention. This often leads to many veterans confiding in alcohol, drugs, and other things that can halt or even determine the development of their brain after they leave the military.

According to lagunatreatment.com, over 20% of military veterans drink alcohol heavily. In comparison to non-veterans, alcohol is very prevalent in the life of someone who may experience PTSD, or someone who has served in the military for at least 4 to 5 years.