The Battle Inside

[unhappycamper]

The Battle Inside
Justin Savage | December 14, 2009

Every day in the news we are bombarded with stories and pictures of operations that continue in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet despite the heavy media coverage of our troops in combat, a large piece of the picture is often overlooked. Who's watching after troops return, once we're home, while we're struggling or focused on trying to take the next natural steps in our lives?

As it turns out, the battle isn't over when we leave the battlefield. Many Veterans and active duty troops alike, struggle with the return to civilian life. While problems can be mild and manageable--nothing more than a little difficulty getting back into the swing of things--in many cases they can be debilitating. Recent studies show that over a third of Veterans are diagnosed with a combat stress-related behavioral health issue like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or major depression. Of those diagnosed, nearly half won't seek any help and half of those that do seek help don't receive adequate care.

The consequences of untreated behavioral health problems like PTSD can be grave. Compared to civilians, veterans living with PTSD are two times more likely to divorce, three times more likely to be unemployed and four times more likely to commit suicide.

Deployment-related mental health issues are challenging to address from a warrior's perspective and from the standpoint of those currently trying to solve this problem. Stigma is always a concern, and common symptoms like avoidance can keep returning troops from asking for help, or in some cases even leaving the house. Among those who are able to overcome the initial hurdles to seeking care, many are ultimately thwarted by logistical concerns like long drives to the nearest Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital or justifying time away from job and family commitments. And for those who can make it to a VA Hospital, they are often met with waiting rooms or waiting lists, keeping some months away from an appointment to see a mental health professional. Veterans and the current system need new tools to meet the mental health epidemic among our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

In working for years with Veterans that are in transition, one common theme has seemed to help support even the most reluctant of help-seekers: a sense of teamwork and camaraderie. On the battlefield, as in training, the organization and its individuals prosper and advance with the strength of each other. From a word of encouragement, sharing a lesson, to a simple helping hand reaching out that bears the same uniform--that trusted support has always been key to moving forward from the battle overseas to these new internal battles troops face.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,207493,00.html



About Justin Savage



Justin Savage is a recent combat veteran and former Army Sergeant. He deployed to the streets of Mosul, Iraq for all of 2004. After 10 years with the Army, he?s worked for the Illinois Departments of Veterans Affairs and Military Affairs in different roles supporting the transition of service members, managing programs for online training, education, employment, and specializing in outreach to Veterans like himself who deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Since joining Prevail Health Solutions LLC in 2008, Justin has worked with the National Science Foundation and VA doctors to develop Vets Prevail, an online support and intervention program to reduce symptoms of combat and operational stress. Justin has now logged several hundred hours communicating with Veterans in transition and recovery as a Certified Peer Specialist, granted by the Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance, and continues to lead online discussions for mental health recovery and wellness.

[lonestarnot]

1. Argh!

:mad:

[chimpymustgo]

2. Thank you for posting this. END THESE WARS NOW.

[Cetacea]

4. +1.

Recommended.

[Mari333]

3. My nephew is pretty fubar

he told me how, in Iraq, one of his jobs was to take his men out to retrieve the bodies of soldiers who had been killed, and match their body parts to their bodies.

he was in special forces.

he is pretty fubar these days. holds it in.