Veteran’s Day is this Saturday, November 11th. While it’s great that we all say we support our soldiers and Veterans whether we agree with the wars or not. It’s important that we know how to support the Vets with PTSD.
PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health issue. PTSD can appear in anyone who went through a traumatic event, so it’s not reserved for just Veterans of wars. But, according to this article, written by Sebastion Junger, victims of other traumatic events like rape or assault may actually heal from PTSD quicker. It has to do with the fact that for a victim of rape or assault the trauma they suffered was all bad, they don’t want to retain any of the memories as good. For a combat veteran, it takes longer because their traumatic events are also mixed in with memories of camaraderie and a sense of community.
Being afraid to identify as a victim of PTSD can lead to serious problems. Twenty Veterans commit suicide each day. Twenty. That’s twenty too many. According to an article in the Military Times, the suicide rate among Veterans is 18% of the suicides in the U.S. But Veterans represent only 7% of the population in the U.S. And the rate of female suicide among Veterans is rising faster than men. From 2001 to 2014 the suicide rate among female Veterans rose 85% compared to male Veterans whose rate rose 32% during the same time period. The article also notes that 70% of those that committed suicide were not regularly receiving services from their local VA.
Last year, I wrote The Invisible Scars Hurt The Most about new technology that is available to help with PTSD. It’s amazing to think that there’s an “app for that” but there really is. The VA is trying to bring help to where the patient is and what better way than through the phone. One of those apps, PTSD Coach has been downloaded over 100,000 times in 74 countries.
In 2015, I wrote Help Those Still Suffering and shared how yoga and yoga nidra are helping those with PTSD. There are several programs that focus on training teachers the specialized skill of teaching yoga to those who suffer PTSD. The groups then assist with connecting teachers to those in need. One organization, Connected Warriors teaches in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Jordan.
If you know a Veteran who is suffering from PTSD, don’t just thank them. Ask, “How are you?” And be prepared to listen. Then, please share these resources.
If you know a Veteran in crisis then, please reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line or call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1. You can also text 838255 to receive confidential support. You will receive support (Veterans and their loved ones,) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
We live in a world that likes to gloss over stuff like this Jennifer – but for those living with PTSD it must be an ongoing nightmare. Good to have resources to know how to connect on a respectful level – thanks.
Sobering stats and interesting information about how difficult it is to deal with PTSD. I had not thought about the fact that there are positive memories intertwined that complicate the healing process but it makes sense indeed. Love your suggestions and the fact that yoga is helping. Timely for Veteran’s Day, Jennifer.
Yes, that article was surprising to me, too.
What a well worded prompt to engage in a non-intrusive, supportive way with a growing population that is in need of additional resources and community outreach. I recognize that too few are able to take advantage of time (and cost) intensive therapies like trekking and team transitioning. Hopefully this will change in the not too distant future.
Yoga is such a much cheaper therapy and doesn’t remove you from your family for weeks or months at a time….depending on if you’re doing the whole trail or not. 😉 And many of the trained yoga teachers do classes for Vets on a donation basis. Maybe someday, you’ll let me tell your story.
I love how committed you are to raising awareness about this. Thank you for your passion and dedication to our veterans!
Unfortunately, we’ve been sending our children to war for 16 straight years now. They need help and we need to be better educated about what is going on.
Never thought about yoga as helping in cases of PTSD before … but it does stand to reason as yoga is such a great stress buster. I know a couple of veterans who suffer from PTSD & it is so hard to fully understand the traumas they went through & still go through when you’ve not experienced it yourself.
Yoga and especially yoga nidra are helpful because they help to turn off (at least temporarily) the fight or flight response that is almost always on for PTSD victims. Great help when your in a fight for your life. Not great when you’re in a fight with your spouse or in a difficult work situation.
It is such an insidious condition. Glad to see higher visibility …
Yes, it is and it’s important to talk about it.
Our veterans have done so many amazing things for our country and sacrificed so much. This post brings awareness and important information that needs to be out there more so the veterans can get the support they need.
There’s always a loud call to “support our troops” but I don’t know how many people actually want to follow through with that, in addition to the government woefully underfunding mental health assistance (for everyone). This is a great post with real, actual useful information <3
You’re right, there’s a lot of underfunding. But also, a fear of identifying as a victim of PTSD.
My friend Shaun has PSTD from the war in Iraq. It changed him completely from a big brawny macho soldier into a quiet, wheelchair bound, meditating artist. I have spent time listening to him and it is truly gut wrenching to hear what he goes through inside his head because of stuff that he was a part of. Thanks for this post.
You’re welcome. Shaun is lucky to have a friend like you.
That’s such an important issue right now. It’s tragic to see people come back from military service and not getting the assistance they need. Even worse are homeless vets. That should never happen.
I agree. It’s so important that we shine a light on this.