Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Give an Hour, The Veterans Project and other organizations have recently launched public education campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of the issues affecting military personnel returning from the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. But why do we need to raise awareness? Don’t civilians clearly understand that the men, women, and families who serve our country are under tremendous strain—that the sacrifices they make are to be respected and admired? Not since the end of World War II has America done such a good job of supporting its men and women in uniform, right? Anyone who has been to a sporting event or a theme park over the last six years has seen Americans applaud those who serve. Isn’t it enough that we have learned to separate the warrior from the war, something our country failed to do following the Vietnam War?
Although we no longer call our warriors “baby killers” or spit on them as they pass, many of the men, women, and families who serve our country are suffering as a result of their service. We must do more than applaud. Recent studies indicate that hundreds of thousands of our returning servicemen and servicewomen are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. These invisible wounds of war—if unrecognized and untreated—can destroy families and ruin lives. Suicide within the military is the highest it has ever been. The rate of military suicides now surpasses the rate of suicide in the general population.
Why aren’t our service personnel receiving the care they need and deserve? With all of the advances in science, medicine, and mental health, why are our soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen suffering? That they are suffering these particular symptoms should be no surprise to anyone in the mental health community—or in the military. Post-traumatic stress is a natural human reaction to trauma, especially the type of trauma experienced by those who see combat. Not everyone who goes to war comes home with severe post-traumatic stress, but everyone is affected psychologically. A complicated array of variables determines whether an individual will become mildly, moderately, or severely symptomatic.
And then we have the “signature” injury of this conflict: traumatic brain injury or TBI. Many soldiers don’t even know that they have suffered a TBI because this injury typically results from repeated exposure to blasts, not from an actual penetrating wound. The effects of TBI can include headaches, hearing loss, mild to moderate cognitive impairment, personality changes, depression, and anxiety
In addition, it should be no surprise that families are buckling under the burden of repeated deployments, reintegration, and physical and psychological injuries. Different challenges face families of active duty, Reservists, and National Guard, but all are feeling the strain of our country’s involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. While the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration are devoting more resources than ever before to the care of our returning warriors, the number of individuals affected is overwhelming the current systems of care. As a result, families are struggling, and for too many of our returning troops reintegration is a failure.
So how will raising awareness improve the care of those returning home from battle? Crucially, it must be the first step, not the final step, in this effort. By raising awareness—by educating our citizens—we set the stage for a shift in our cultural consciousness and, most importantly, a change in behavior. Consider what Al Gore and others who took up the issue of global warming did: They convinced us that we need to accept an inconvenient truth. Similarly, to help the men, women, and families who serve our country, we must understand and accept a very uncomfortable truth—that without comprehensive, easily accessible, long-term medical and psychological care for our returning warriors, many lives will be ruined, and some will be lost.
Imagine that your son (or daughter), husband (or wife), friend, or neighbor was exposed repeatedly to a horrific and terrifying trauma. He would, understandably, go through some type of change as a result. Now imagine that you understood what was happening to him—the possible depression, anxiety, and withdrawal that might occur; that you understood the possible escape into substance abuse, and that you were able to tolerate the rejection of your efforts to help. Imagine that the community around you also understood what was happening to your loved one and was truly invested in and capable of providing the ongoing support and care that he would need for the weeks, months, and years ahead. While the journey would still be long and difficult, you would know that your loved one would be appropriately cared for and that you would receive the help you need.
If we are successful in our efforts to raise awareness and create change, this will be the reality for those who come home, to a country that not only admires and respects the sacrifices made, but that stands ready to offer care and support to ensure that those who serve have the future they deserve.
Barbara Van Dahlen Romberg, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Give an Hour, a nonprofit organization which provides free mental health services to U.S. military personnel and families affected by the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I suffer from severe PTSD and mild TBI. I have been in a treatment facility for the last 12 months. I am currently back up in alaska, Ft. Richardson Warrior Transition Battalion. I tried to get transfered to Santa Rosa for home awaiting orders pending MEB. Didnt go through because of mitigating purposes. I am back in alaska alone, no family support group, and that fuck it attitude. I just wanted to say the Military needs to step and provide a smooth transition for their wounded warriors suffering. I am very lucky to have been in a treatment facility for as long as I was. Not to many wounded warriors get that opportunity. I just would like to see more reaction instead of proaction. Thank you for giving me the time. Veterans 4 Life.
I have been through PTSD my self from trauma in my life,that has happened to me. I know what it is like to live with ptsd,and the symptoms of it. I have been treated for mine in the past,since I have been treated for it,I have been able to move on in my life,and see how it can be like a gift,from the good man up stairs. I have been able to use mine to help others out that has ptsd,and I am always here with a lending ear,and heart. I know what it feels like to go through it,you are never alone through it there is someone out there who is ready to listen,and to help at a moments notice. Thank you for serving your time military personell,and thank you for your sacrifice.
Awareness can save a veteran’s life. It happens all the time. I am contacted by veterans but more often, by their families trying to figure out what went wrong. When they understand what PTSD is, they can end up being an advocate for the veteran, learn how to help them heal and how to stop reacting the wrong way.
National Guards and their families have it worse because the support they need is harder to come by when they return to oblivious communities. They have to deal with PTSD, unaware families, job loss and while we talk about the fact they are able to get free care from the VA after returning, no one is talking about the fact they do not receive compensation unless they have an approved claim. Try paying bills with no income. The other thing we don’t talk about is that while the Obama Administration is trying to catch up for lost years, they are bailing out a flood with a tsunami on the horizon. As bad as we think it is now with media reports, we are no where close to fully acknowledging the ramifications with untreated mild PTSD, secondary stressors and secondary PTSD taking control over family members.
This is going to take an entire nation stepping up because as more veterans come back from Iraq and Afghanistan, the older veterans are now coming to terms with the need for their own help. What makes all of this worse is the fact the veterans are not hearing what they need to heal. The military and the VA are trying to come up with programs to treat them but at the same time they do not understand what causes PTSD in some and not in others. Any wonder why nothing they have done so far has really worked?