Contrary to widespread belief, many soldiers who return home do not suffer with mental health problems, with majority of returning soldiers claiming to have had a fulfilling experience. However, that is not the case for every veteran unfortunately.
The Mental Health
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a major issue with many returning soldiers. This can require several sessions of therapy or even medication. Depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse are far more common among veterans, more commonly in those who leave service early.
Discrimination and stigma can massively impact the lives of people with mental health, including veterans and service personnel.
From a criminal standpoint, 3.5% of the total prison population will consist of veterans. This could be down to not getting the correct help with their mental health. It is extremely important to understand the context of this history, including each individual veteran’s service life, alcohol use and mental health requirements.
Alcohol abuse has always played a significant role in military life and the harm on physical and mental health caused by excessive alcohol use. Not only this, but heavy alcohol consumption can also mask existing mental health problems and even lead to alcohol dependence. The levels of alcohol intake in the military are much higher than in similar age groups in the public.
Traumatic events, such as assault, disasters, military combat, or sexual assault can have a major, long-lasting negative impact on veterans or serving soldiers. With long-lasting effects such as nightmares, anger, trouble sleeping, jumpy and drug and alcohol abuse. When these problems do not go away, it could be PTSD.
The Physical Health
Veterans and military service members have made huge sacrifices for our country, but many face challenging health issues whilst doing so. During their service, they are at constant risk for numerous injuries. These injuries can happen either during combat or involve physical stress to the body. In some cases, injuries can be life-threatening, or be serious enough to cause disabilities. Others may not be too serious but can still be painful and affect daily life.
These include:
- Limited range of motion, especially in knees and ankles
- Head and brain injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Sprains and strains
- Hearing loss and Tinnitus, usually from exposure to loud noise
- Shrapnel and gunshot wounds
There is also an increased risk of other health problems from over exposure to environmental hazards, such as chemicals, infections, and contaminated water.
Veterans experience a lot of family stresses due to being away for long periods of time. This can cause mental health problems in service members or veterans. These mental health issues can even concern suicide. It is important to talk about any worries or concerns you may have regarding your mental health.
Killing in War
Killing in war often triggers severe conflict in veterans that can damage them spiritually, their self-image and their relationships. For majority of these veterans who may already suffer from PTSD will feel guilt, anger, isolation and even shame. This causes psychological trauma related to their war experience. These emotional scars often last decades.
Not all veterans who have taken a life in war suffer from any guilt or mental health problems, the number if veterans seeking mental health help is growing at an expediential rate. It is important for health care professionals and even the public, to allow veterans to express themselves and their emotions to help them work through these problems effectively.
As civilians, including those mental health professionals, it is us responsibly to help better understand veterans and the mental health struggles they suffer with. In doing this, we can break through the ‘post-war silence’ that tends to mask those underlying mental illnesses. Without doing this, those who have served or continue serving for our country, will inevitably suffer the consequences.
There are programmes that help with self-forgiveness, heal relationships and help veterans heal. This is a great step towards moving forward and making plans for their future. It is important to help our veterans work through their trauma, this includes having extreme sensitivity, patience, and empathy.
Challenges and feelings
A vast majority of veterans will describe how the most challenging part to discuss of their war experience, was about killing.
Many veterans felt extremely numb when talking about their exposure to killing and death in combat. This leaves a lot of veterans feelings anxious when asked about killing.
Many veterans would even believe they had a ‘dark side’ because of their killing in war. Which would make it difficult to see themselves as a good person. Others found they were isolating from others due to wanting to hide the fact that they had killed in combat. Many veterans try to avoid any reminders of their life in combat, and even found they turned to alcohol.
Despite the depths of their wounds or the impact on their mental state, many veterans have found that connecting with other veterans and talking about each of their experiences, helped them to heal, along with volunteering to help others.
We must remember to consider what service members and veterans have done for us and continue doing for us. We must oversee things with consideration, compassion, empathy, and complete gratitude.
