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SOME OF THE NUMBERS - One in Five OIF/OEF combat vets reported symptoms of PTSD, according to a recent RAND study. That’s 300,000 out of the one and a half million who have been deployed. One in Five have “reported” their symptoms, but the actual “unreported” numbers could be greater than one third.
- One study suggests that perhaps two thirds of Americans are unaware of the condition of PTSD. (Help us fix this!)
- CBS Report: Suicide rate among Veterans is double that of other Americans.
- Reserve and National Guard personnel and younger service members who deploy with reported combat exposures are at increased risk of new-onset heavy weekly drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol-related problems. JAMA
SOME OF THE ROADBLOCKS - Stigma – Negative attitudes and misconceptions revolving around PTSD can keep a service member from seeking attention. Particularly within the warrior community, peer perceptions can be a significantly roadblock for those considering help.
- Jeopardizing your Career – Not an unjustified concern, many Combat Vets worry that their positions within the military may be jeopardized, or worst, that they could be separated from the military if they are diagnosed with PTSD, the flipside is that early treatment could prevent severe cases.
- Out of Pocket Expenses – Unlike the active duty side, a reservist must utilize external resources (VA, OneSource, Civilian provider) on their own time, and while these services may be free the financial burden from loss of pay at their civilian jobs, travel expenses, etc… play a big part in some veterans avoiding these services.
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