I think there are some serious changes we need to make to less the impact PTSD has on the military population. We talked about lessening the shame factor. We have to change how we talk about the military and what we expect from vets. No action in the military is made by just one person so no one person should be blamed or blame themselves for what is done. Coming home is expected by a lot of people to just be the end, but as someone who loves a very special veteran that just isn't true. Trauma doesn't end when you come home. Support has to be continuous! Your brain has been wired to find the danger as a first instinct that doesn't stop just because the danger is no longer present.
We need to provide more support in the transition. Support groups, therapy, medication, teaching coping skills should be bare minimum provided, but accessing these can take valuable time some don't have. The VA healthcare system needs faster response time. On a personal note, a family member was struggling in 2024, and we almost lost him. Any program that could help him had waitlists or was in another state. By time he was to the top of the list he no longer wanted to go. The help has to be there when and where people are willing to except it.
As a veteran though you need to be willing to ask for help. People want to help before it's too late.
Add comment
Comments