Issues in Mental Health Help-Seeking for Veterans and Their Families
Some recent research indicates that one in three veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from significant to severe stress, anxiety and/or trauma, yet close to 60% of them do not seek help, typically for one or all of the following reasons:
- Fear of being stigmatized by peers and superiors
- Fear of having documentation in their medical records that could prevent future advancement or civilian employment opportunities
- An emphasis on self-reliance that may make it difficult to ask for help
- A discomfort or aversion to counseling and to sharing or reliving difficult experiences, especially if the counselor is a non-Veteran or non-Combat Veteran
- The lack of availability of culturally sensitive or financially practical help sources
Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or counselor. The professional helps people gain insight into their feelings, change behaviors, resolve problems or learn how to deal with feelings like stress, grief, loss, fear and sadness. Talk therapy is sometimes combined with homework assignments between sessions. Therapy can be held one-on-one, with couples, families or even in groups. Participation in short-term counseling or psychotherapy can help active personnel, veterans, and family members recognize and begin to recover from the influence of trauma related to military service and its consequences. Millions of Americans have found help changing some aspect of their life through psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or counseling.
Consider Therapy If...
- You feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness, and your problems do not seem to get better despite your efforts and help from family and friends.
- You are finding it difficult to carry out everyday activities: for example, you are unable to concentrate on assignments at work, and your job performance is suffering as a result.
- You worry excessively, expect the worst, or are constantly on edge.
- Your actions are harmful to yourself or to others: for instance, you are drinking too much alcohol, abusing drugs, or becoming overly argumentative and aggressive.
This fact sheet is based on information contained at the following websites:
Web Links
Veterans Heart Georgia: This grass roots organization utilizes innovative approaches to helping veterans of all wars with the entire spectrum of the effects of war and military service. The organization is made up of veterans, mental health professionals and citizens.
CareForTheTroops Inc. is a 501c3 Non-Profit formed to develop a network of civilian faith communities, civic organizations, and networks of therapists all trained and able to work with the military members, veterans, and their families as they adjust to the changes experienced during and after returning from deployments and combat.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Our Mission: IAVA’s mission is to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.
This is the information forGeorgia’s largest provider of VA services and the web site address.
Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033
Phone: (404) 321-6111 hrs. 8:00a.m-4:30p.m.
Website www1.va.gov/Atlanta
24-hour VA suicide hot line : 1-800-273-TALK
America's Heroes at Work: Welcome to America's Heroes at Work - a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) project that addresses the employment challenges of returning service members living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
U.S. Vets Over 200,000 veterans will sleep on the streets of our nation tonight. Our VISION is that one day there will no longer be homeless veterans in America...U.S. VETS provides housing, counseling, job assistance, and HOPE to thousands of homeless veterans each year. Our programs foster the skills necessary for every veteran to return to the community and remain self-sufficient.
This is a link provided by the US army for soldiers that help with some information on stress, suicide facts, and some veteran benefits that are available.
Welcome Back Veterans is resource to help welcome back veteran returning from deployment.
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project this is a resource to help find homes for our disabled veterans in need of shelter.