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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing life-threatening or terrifying events. In the military, it may be caused by experiencing combat, seeing friends injured or killed, surviving attacks, military sexual trauma (experienced by 1 out of every 3 women), or even training accidents. PTSD symptoms may include depression, lifelong nightmares, trouble thinking, drug and alcohol addiction, anger management, and increased risk of violence and suicide.
Roughly 15% of young vets suffer from PTSD.
Moral Injury
Moral Injury
Emotional and spiritual distress from doing, witnessing, or failing to prevent something that goes against your values. For example, firing on civilians or being ordered to act in ways you believe are wrong. Many people join the military out of a desire to do good and serve. It can be deeply damaging to realize your service is having the opposite effect. Many veterans have reported distress after watching Afghanistan fall to the Taliban so soon upon the United States' withdrawal, fearing that their sacrifices and the deaths of their friends had been for nothing.
divorce, alcoholism, Violence, & Homelessness
divorce, alcoholism, Violence, & Homelessness
Working long hours, not having control over where you and your family live, frequent moves, and long deployments place significant stress on military families. Binge drinking is normalized in the military, with many servicemembers and veterans struggling with substance abuse. Veterans face higher rates of homelessness. Despite having access to education benefits, less than half of eligible veterans actually use them. Veterans face higher rates of homelessness and make up a disproportionate number of mass shooters. While some veterans speak positively of their military experiences, the statistics show that the military seems to make veterans worse off than their civilian counterparts.
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