Is your loved one about to return home from active duty? If so, you are probably beaming with excitement and ready to help them readjust in the smoothest way possible. You may think they are finally back where they belong and will get settled back before you know it. But unfortunately, this is not a reality for most veterans. The fact is the mental health challenges of veterans transitioning from active duty to civilian life are not an urban myth. They are real, and many start feeling their effects the moment they arrive. Of course, that is not to say your loved one will surely experience mental issues post-duty. They may just be one of the lucky few who come out of service unscathed. But just in case they are not, it pays to get familiar with the issues they could be dealing with.
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Over the past 21 years, we at the National Association of American Veterans (NAAV) have, thanks to generous donations from supporters of our cause, helped thousands of veterans return to their day-to-day lives. Now, it is time we helped you prepare for the worst-case scenario by providing information on what you may expect and how to deal with it effectively.
Are veterans more susceptible to mental health issues post-serving?
Before getting into the most common mental health challenges of veterans, let us see if this group is truly more likely to suffer from these.
So, what do the stats say?
They seem to confirm that retired military personnel are more susceptible to mental health conditions. In fact, the National Center for PTSD reports that about 7% of veterans will have PTSD at some point in their life.
Not to mention, approximately 17% of them end up suffering from trauma-induced depression and about 15% from anxiety.
If this was not concerning enough, let us look at suicide rates among veterans. They are alarming! As a matter of fact, the members of this group are 1.5x more likely to take their own lives compared to those who have not served.
Statistics differ slightly from one state to another. For example, the suicide rate of veterans in Tennessee in 2021 was 39.4 per 100,000 individuals. Suicide was more common among younger veterans (aged 18-34), with 64 out of 100,000 ending their lives by their own hand.
Tennessee is also ranked as one of the worst states for veterans: fourth lowest for quality of life, mainly due to the small number of VA benefits administration facilities and mental health counselors. Renowned institutions like Time Wellness PTSD treatment center in Tennessee are making great efforts to make things better and provide adequate mental health support. Here, you can access cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, exposure therapy, and cognitive restructuring. With the support of an amazing team of highly skilled professionals, veterans can get the help they need here.
Common mental health challenges of veterans transitioning from active duty to civilian life
We cannot change the past.
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But we can influence the future.
That said, you have the power to stop the worst from happening to your loved one returning home from duty. And the first step is? Learning about issues that could pose a threat to the state of their mind.
#1 Transitional stress
Veterans are used to spending time in a highly structured and disciplined environment. The problem arises when they return to civilian life, which is often unpredictable and anything but structured. This sudden shift can be jarring, causing what is known as transitional stress.
Job hunting and family dynamics are also major stressors. If your loved one has served for years, they have probably changed over time, professionally and personally. They may have lost the professional skills they used to have. As for those picked up in the military, they may not find them as useful in day-to-day life.
Your loved one may not be the same, personality-wise, but you may not be either (or the rest of the family). It is like you are complete strangers living together, which can be incredibly frustrating and stressful.
#2 Anxiety
Imagine being on high alert constantly, where every sound and movement could mean danger. This level of vigilance becomes second nature during active duty. Unfortunately, this heightened state does not just switch off when veterans return home.
That is why some develop anxiety post-duty. Simple things like crowded places, loud noises, or even driving in traffic can trigger intense feelings of unease. Not to mention, this constant state of anxiety can be exhausting and make it hard for them to relax or feel safe.
#3 Depression
As we mentioned, about 17% of veterans struggle with depression — for various reasons, that is.
For some, the root cause of depression may be the loss of camaraderie and the close bonds they formed with their fellow military friends.
Then, depression can also be triggered by the lack of understanding of what they have been through coming from their family and friends.
And while peer support helps combat depression among veterans, before arranging for it, how do you know if your loved one is dealing with it?
By keeping an eye out on the symptoms like:
- persistent sadness,
- loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed,
- changes in appetite or sleep patterns,
- feelings of worthlessness,
- excessive guilt.
In some cases, these feelings can be incredibly overwhelming. So overwhelming that they may even lead to thoughts of suicide or the actual suicide.
#4 PTSD
Combat exposure. Witnessing death first-hand. Life-threatening situations. All of these can leave deep emotional scars.
Some veterans cannot seem to erase memories of these traumatic experiences. Instead, they keep replaying them in their minds without consciously wanting to.
That can result in actual night terrors, severe anxiety, and even emotional numbness — all symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
If not treated, PTSD can lead to other mental health conditions, like depression. Also, individuals with PTSD may abuse substances, thinking they’ll help alleviate their pain.
Let us help veterans overcome mental health issues – together!
As you can see, the mental health challenges of veterans transitioning from active duty to civilian life are as real as ever. And they are important to deal with; the earlier, the better. So, if you have a loved one coming home soon, do your due diligence and inform yourself of all the possible conditions that could bother them. And if, by any chance, you notice something strange about them, do not leave things to chance. Talk to them. Support them. Get them professional help. And know this: you are not alone. NAAV is willing to help both of you get through the transition emotionally, physically, and financially. However, if you do not need help, note that others in your situation might. So, support our cause and donate to veterans in need to help them reclaim their lives. Please visit www.naavets.org click on Donate Today! Thank you.
Author bio:
Danny Mills is the chief marketing officer and admissions director behind the Time Wellness Centers — sanctuaries for people dealing with mental and behavioral health issues. He is
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passionate about helping those less fortunate and lives by the mantra: help others, and you will help yourself.
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Photos used:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-green-and-brown-camouflage-shirt-7468215/
https://www.thecentersquare.com/tennessee/article_73bca856-fb1d-11ed-b6eb-f32c80c5358f.html
Sources:
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/veterans/suicide-among-veterans
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp