Mental Health Awareness Month

- Combatting the Battle Within -

Following two decades of ongoing warfare, the United States has witnessed a surge in concerns regarding the mental health of veterans and service members, echoed both in media coverage and personal connections to the military. Thankfully, as we see the negative stigma surrounding mental health reducing, we see the compensation and benefits for those affected increasing.

According to the National Library of Medicine, chief among these concerns are posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) depression and anxiety, which have garnered significant attention. Its also important to recognize that the challenges extend beyond the well-publicized issues, encompassing suicide, traumatic brain injury (TBI), substance use disorder (SUD), and adjustment disorder, each with profound consequences for service members and their families.

While combat and deployments inherently heighten the risk of these mental health conditions, it's relevant to acknowledge that general military service also presents its own set of challenges, with stressors not necessarily confined to specific timelines. Particularly stressful periods arise not only during combat or deployment but also stateside and in garrison. Additional factors veterans face like chronic physical pain and disabilities acquired during service lead to depression and anxiety post-service.

In the field of healthcare, understanding the profound impact of military service on both physical and mental well-being is essential. By studying and grasping the complexity of this relationship, it is important they can enhance the quality of care provided to patients and potentially save lives. But we cannot just rely on our healthcare providers, support within the community of veterans is a key factor in making sure that each of the veterans is heard as they battle through mental health challenges.

The support can be through policy advocacy, peer support programs, awareness campaigns, and access to various resources such as counseling services, hotlines and online education resources. Many more can be platforms in making sure that mental health is a priority for the veterans.

During this Mental Health Awareness month, remember, that the goal is to reduce stigma, increase awareness, and promote mental wellness for all individuals, especially our United States Veterans.

By offering a variety of supportive resources and activities, we can help veterans access the care, support and compensation they need to thrive.