By Amanda Purser
There is a heavy burden carried by those who serve our nation in any branch of military service, but perhaps more by those who deploy overseas to serve in combat zones.
When you consider that this invisible baggage is undetected by those who veterans and service members encounter each day, it adds an extra layer of complexity.
Leaving your home, family and all your familiar comforts to join the military is a demanding and stressful undertaking. Not many people are willing to take that challenge in life.
Pew Research from May 2023 reported only about 1% of the U.S. population serving on active-duty military service, and 18 million living veterans at the time, representing only about 6% of our country’s adult population.
The research displayed the demographic breakdown of that 6% among primarily war-time service, from the conflicts of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War and peacetime members.
A service member doesn’t have to deploy or see combat to experience mental health issues during and post-service, and one of the most common issues reported is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is a psychiatric disorder caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event, affecting around 10% of the U.S. general population at some point in their lifetime, with a much higher prevalence in active-duty military personnel and veterans, according to an abstract by the National Institute of Health.
Evidence suggests that the prevalence of PTSD in deployed U.S. military personnel may be as high as 14-16%. Large-scale screening efforts have been implemented by the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
After serving 15 consecutive months in a combat zone, while I was on active duty in the U.S. Army, I recall the transition upon our return and the significant re-acclimation process we underwent.
Being in Iraq was undoubtedly stressful, there was a constant fear of the unknown, pressure to always be ready and the uneasiness that comes with the adrenaline and crashes from various threats on any given day.
We were stationed on a remote Forward Operating Base (FOB) near the Iran border, and we regularly dealt with enemy forces, sand storms, extreme heat, limited resources, unfamiliar territory and cultures as well as the ever-present scorpions and camel-spiders which were terrifying to an arachnophobe like me.
Alarms would sound when there was an incoming mortar round or missile heading for our FOB, and we had no idea where it was coming from or going to land, until the impact was made. Within a few months of our deployment, air-defense assistance showed up with equipment for better surveillance and even weapons to shoot projectiles out of the sky. Before our support arrived, our stress levels were heightened daily. We had little, if any time, to truly rest or relax and our nervous systems were in a constant state of fight or flight.
Many soldiers I served with faced far more intense circumstances and experiences, and there were those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country who didn’t return home with us. I know that so many of us come back with the weight of invisible scars and mental anguish that we find hard to discuss and process, even decades later.
The Mayo Clinic explains that a person can experience PTSD from a personal experience or having witnessed an event that can render them with lasting effects. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the event, in addition to other disturbances.
These symptoms may start within the first three months after a traumatic event but may not appear until years later. PTSD symptoms are generally categorized within four groups: intrusive memories; avoidance; negative changes in thinking and mood; and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Symptoms can vary over time or vary from person to person.
Given the prevalence and potential consequences of PTSD among veterans and active-duty military personnel, development and continued evaluation of effective screening methods is an important public health need.
According to Matthew Miller, Executive Director VA Suicide Prevention, in an article from Dec. of 2024, “VA releases 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report which shows a small increase in suicides, less of an upward trend than the year before.”
We have seen a significant rise in organizations and resources to help prevent and address the significant numbers of veteran suicides, as a consequence of the staggering number of PTSD diagnoses among the veteran and service member populations.
Some of these efforts are being conducted by the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), with education, insights and resources to help understand and recognize the warning signs of a mental health crisis and prevent veteran suicide by intervening before the crisis occurs.
WWP reports some common signs to look out for, in order to help spot suicidal behavior and ideations and help intervene if someone you know is struggling.
ACTIONS: Giving away possessions; withdrawing from family, friends, school, or work; loss of interest in sports or leisure; misuse of alcohol or drugs; impulsive or reckless behavior; self-harm; extreme behavior changes.
PHYSICAL: Poor sleep; over or under eating and weight loss or gain; sexual interest changes/loss; complaints of pain or emotional disturbances.
FEELINGS: Desperation; Anger; Guilt; Worthlessness; Loneliness; Sadness; Hopelessness; Helplessness.
COMMENTS: “All of my problems will end soon.” “No one can do anything to help me now.” “Now I know what they were going through.” “I just can’t take it anymore.” “I am a burden to everyone.”
If you suspect someone you know is dealing with the above symptoms and may be suicidal, its recommended to do the following:
Ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?”
Stay calm and be present: Let the person talk. Don’t judge them. Just listen.
Offer support: Let them know they are not alone. Often, people just need someone to hear them and support them.
Ask if you can help connect them to resources.
If there’s immediate danger or a suicide attempt has occurred, get emergency support immediately.
It’s okay to ask and taking that step shows bravery, compassion and empathy. Breaking the silence and talking openly about suicide is a powerful step toward reducing shame and helping veterans feel safe to seek help.
The Department of Veterans Affairs launched the Veterans Crisis Line in 2007, with 14 trained responders working out of a call center in Canandaigua, NY.
They have grown this valuable resource to include online chat and text services, with 1,100 responders across three call center locations. Responders are available 24/7 to help veterans, active-duty service members and their families through a crisis.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of assistance, dial 988, then press 1, chat online at veteranscrisisline.net, or text 838255 to receive free, confidential support.
Don’t struggle in silence. Speak up, reach out and together we can overcome this difficult process.