What is the issue?
Many veterans return from military deployment with service-related mental health issues, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and military sexual trauma (MST). Warriors can often deal with lasting effects from the traumas of service and encounter a lack of resources and support for mental health care. Furthermore, some practices within the military, such as promotional tracks, tacitly discourage service members from seeking the care that they need.
Why is this important?
As a nation, we need to do our part to make sure that our service men and women, who lived through experiences of war and trauma, are properly cared for, and that includes their mental health.
How does iustitia advocate and educate on this issue?
iustitia encourages destigmatizing mental illness and seeking mental health care in the military, including a nondiscriminatory promotional policy, a safe space for discourse and redress for victims of MST, and significant resources, support, and mental health services available to the brave men and women who protect our country. We advocate for policies and practices in the Department of Defense and across the public sector that encourage recovery and dignified integration into civilian life.
Recent Developments:
- New Policy protects Marines, sailors facing separation for mental health issues
- $275M pledge will fund free mental health facilities for veterans
- Study: Military falls short in treating new cases of war-related stress
Mental Health Service Providers:
- Veterans Crisis Line
- Guide to VA Mental Health Services for Veterans & Families
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Mental Health Resources for Veterans and Active Duty
- Wounded Warrior Project: Is Mental Health Treatment For Me?
Read more about Veterans issues on our blog.
- Why is the Department of Defense Tacitly Discouraging Veterans’ Recovery?
- Veterans Treatment Court: A Second Chance for Veterans Battle Post-traumatic Stress Disorder