Veteran mental health services are essential to help our returning vets recover from their deployments and mental health issues related to their service. According to the RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research, 20 percent of the vets who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from either major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. 19.5 percent of vets in these two categories have experienced a traumatic brain injury. These three service-related disorders alone have an enormous impact on the demand for veteran mental health treatment. The National Council for Behavioral Health tells us that less than 50 percent of returning veterans in need receive any mental health treatment. Dr. Fabian, Assistant Professor for the Department of Psychiatry, shares with us why Veteran’s Day is important to her and a few challenges that our veterans face.
What does Veterans Day mean to you?
Veteran’s Day to me means being grateful for living in our great country and acknowledging our amazing and dedicated servicemen and women. It’s a day to remember the sacrifices that have been made some small and some the ultimate. It’s reflecting on the unity of our military forces throughout peace and war times. It’s a day to be grateful!
Why did you choose to work with veterans?
I choose to work with veterans because I have seen firsthand their perseverance, resilience, and commitment to service. Veterans have served our country which means they have served every citizen of this great nation. Who better to serve than our veterans?
What mental health issues do veterans face?
Veterans face the same mental health challenges as anyone else: depression, anxiety, fear, worry, insomnia. The difference is that some of these challenges come due to their commitment to service.
What do you wish society knew about veteran’s mental health?
Veterans incur different challenges than average citizens by the nature of their commitment. They uproot themselves and stare “change” in the face on a regular basis. They are challenged to learn new skills, train hard, prepare for the worst, deploy to war, leave their families, relocate their families, reintegrate after facing very different situations and settings. Their experiences can range and change frequently, and they are asked to persevere and adjust. Most people aren’t challenged in this way and may have trouble relating to this lifestyle. So, it may be difficult to understand a veteran’s mental health issues if one does not understand these challenges. It is understandable that any and all of these aspects of military service can take a toll.
How can we care and support our veterans, especially their mental health?
We can listen. Through empathy and kindness, we can show our appreciation for service and humanity.