why treatment is necessaryfor veterans

Many veterans will require a specialized, comprehensive treatment approach for addressing co-occurring disorders such as alcohol and drug abuse, depression, and PTSD.

Full Answer

Why do we need veterans?

Veterans are the jewel of our population. They put their lives on the line with far too many giving up their lives in defense of our great nation. There has been no great civilization that did not hold its soldiers in high esteem. The direction we are headed in will make our civilization less than great.

What kind of therapy does the VA provide for veterans?

Therapy for Military and Veterans Issues The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a wide range of mental health services and treatments to aid military veterans. Treatments may be given in a variety of settings: short-term inpatient care, outpatient care in a psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery center (PRRC), or residential care.

What happens when veterans don’t treat their mental health issues?

Many veterans remained untreated for a long period of time. The VA and local courts recognize that that many of the veterans today are also returning home with mental health issues that, left untreated, can result in much larger problems. An early sign that a veteran may have unaddressed problems may be when they first break the law.

What is the goal of Veterans Treatment Courts?

The Goal Of Veterans Treatment Courts The goal of Veterans Treatment Courts is to divert those with mental health issues and homelessness from the traditional justice system and to give them treatment and tools for rehabilitation and readjustment.

Why is it important to take care of veterans?

American Veterans are brave and heroic – and these soldiers put their lives on the line to defend the lives of their fellow citizens. They protect the freedoms we often take for granted, and uphold the principles and laws that govern us and make our nation unique.

Why is it important for veterans to get treatment for PTSD?

In many cases, PTSD treatment can get rid of your symptoms. For other people, symptoms may be less intense or happen less often. After treatment you will have learned skills to better cope with symptoms. People who get treatment improve their quality of life.

Why is it important for veterans to receive counseling?

Increase behavioral health care services. Promote awareness that psychological health is as important as physical health. Promote housing security for veterans and military families. Increase opportunities for federal careers.

Why is mental health care important to veterans and military?

Individuals trained in Mental Health First Aid can help to: Break down the stigma associated with mental illness like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. Reach out to those who suffer in silence, reluctant to seek help.

How can veterans improve mental health?

Here's what these experts have been studying, researching, and advocating.Screen all Veterans for suicide risk.Prevent suicide among Veterans.Recommend effective treatments for PTSD.Reduce Veteran stress through mindfulness.Leverage digital apps to help with mental health.Understand exposure to ACEs among Veterans.More items...

How effective are PTSD treatments for veterans?

The research showed that while up to 70% of the men and women who received CPT or PE experienced symptom improvements, around two-thirds of people receiving the treatments still met the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis after treatment.

Why do veterans have mental health issues?

Because Veterans, especially those who served in combat, have generally experienced more stress and trauma in their lives than non-Veterans, the team had expected to see higher rates of depression among Veterans.

What therapy is best for veterans?

Of the wide variety of psychotherapies available, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered to have the strongest evidence for reducing the symptoms of PTSD in veterans and has been shown to be more effective than any other nondrug treatment.

Why do veterans feel isolated?

The factors influencing isolation in veterans are complex, and they can change based on individual variables such as age, military-related trauma, and PTSD. However, research has identified three factors that commonly affect feelings of loneliness and isolation for veterans: Losing touch with friends from service.

Are veterans more likely to have mental health problems?

The statistics are sobering. According to one of the largest studies. of mental health risk among the U.S. Military, the rate of major depression among soldiers was five times as high as civilians, and the rate of PTSD was nearly 15 times higher. Veterans with PTSD also have high psychiatric comorbidity rates.

Why is mental health important?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

How does military service affect mental health?

Short and long term responses to these exposures manifest as depression, anxiety, stress, and moral distress that result in burnout, compassion fatigue, post-traumatic stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Adler et al., 2017; Gibbons et al., 2012; Goldstein, 2016).

Substance Abuse Prevalence Among Veterans

Substance abuse is a significant problem among our nation’s military veterans, with more than 1 in 10 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan having been diagnosed with a substance use disorder.1 Although alcohol and tobacco are the most commonly misused substances among all veterans, the abuse of prescription drugs is a rising concern among young veterans.2.

The Relationship Between PTSD and Substance Abuse

Many veterans have a hard time readjusting to life out of the military due to the lingering symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating condition that occurs after experiencing severe trauma or a life-threatening event.

Treatment Options

Due to drastic lifestyle changes upon entering civilian life and ongoing struggles with PTSD and other mental health conditions, many veterans have a difficult time coping on their own. If you are a veteran suffering from a drug, alcohol, or prescription drug addiction, please know that help is available.

Do soldiers on the front lines have any choice?

The soldiers on the front lines rarely have any sort of choice about what they do, when they do it, or why they do it. They’re given a job and asked to respond. We can hate the outcome of war. We can even feel strongly against the decision-makers behind a war.

Do veterans get baby killers?

Today, veterans don’t have to worry about being called “baby killers,” getting their cars egged, or covering up their military haircuts. However, one could make the argument that the mistreatment of veterans is stronger than it’s ever been in the past.

Do veterans appreciate kind words?

Veterans appreciate kind words as much as anyone and love the opportunity to share stories and interact with people who appreciate them. Painting a New Future for Veterans. As the Declaration of Independence states, certain truths are self-evident.

Do veterans deserve respect?

Rather than wait for the government to initiate sweeping change, step in and do your part to treat veterans with respect and care – giving them opportunity to thrive in a hostile world. Of all people in society, veterans deserve the most respect, yet often receive the least.

What is the purpose of Veterans Treatment Court?

The goal of Veterans Treatment Courts is to divert those with mental health issues and homelessness from the traditional justice system and to give them treatment and tools for rehabilitation and readjustment . Veterans Treatment Courts were developed to avoid unnecessary incarceration of veterans who have developed mental health problems.

What happens if a veteran fails to meet the requirements of the program?

If the veteran fails to meet the requirements of the program — for example, if he or she fails drug screenings or disobeys court orders — the Court will impose sanctions which may include community service, fines, jail time, or transfer out of Veterans Treatment back to a traditional criminal court.

Can veterans have mental health issues?

The VA and local courts recognize that that many of the veterans today are also returning home with mental health issues that, left untreated, can result in much larger problems. An early sign that a veteran may have unaddressed problems may be when they first break the law.

Do veterans have PTSD?

Most veterans are strengthened by their military service, but the combat experience has unfortunately left a growing number of veterans with PTSD, other mental health issues, or brain injury. Recognizing this problem, many local states and communities have developed special Veterans Treatment Courts that seek to provide veterans suffering ...

Is a veteran's participation in treatment court voluntary?

A veteran’s participation in treatment court is always voluntary. Veterans who choose to participate are assessed by a mental health professional and their treatment needs are determined.

Do veterans get a second chance?

Men and women who have served the country are entitled to a second chance. Although most courts work with veterans of all service eras, communities are often motivated to start these courts by concerns about veterans returning from service and encountering legal trouble.

Do veterans need treatment courts?

However, a few will struggle and it is exactly those veterans who need a Veterans Treatment Court program the most . Without this structure, these veterans will reoffend and remain in the criminal justice system.

Why should veterans get better care?

Why American Veterans Should Get Better Care. There’s no denying the benefits our nation gains from the outstanding service provided by members of the military . American Veterans are brave and heroic – and these soldiers put their lives on the line to defend the lives of their fellow citizens. They protect the freedoms we often take ...

Why are veterans valuable?

They Have Value. Veterans are not only highly trained individuals, but they also have proven qualities that speak to their value in society. Service members are prized for their loyalty, honor, and selflessness. These traits make them ideal employees and valuable members of society.

What are the benefits of being a veteran?

When veterans are discharged or retired from military service, they are promised certain benefits, including American veterans aid like VA healthcare services , along with provisions detailed in the G.I. Bill, just for example.

Do soldiers have families?

They Have Families. Just because military members serve their country of their own free will doesn’t mean they’re the only ones affected by the decision to do so. Soldier have families, including parents, siblings, spouses, and children that are also impacted by their decision to serve.

How does family therapy help veterans?

Family therapy programs help parents explain the deployment process to young children, while support programs are in place to help returning veterans and their family members go through the reintegration process with as few issues as possible . At present, the VA has identified six key ways to assist military families:

What is VA therapy?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a wide range of mental health services and treatments to aid military veterans.

What are the mental health issues veterans face?

These conditions may include posttraumatic stress (PTSD), depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury (TBI ), and substance abuse, among other issues. Due to the traumatic environment in which active military combatants ...

Why are veterans at a higher risk for mental health issues?

Due to the traumatic environment in which active military combatants serve, veterans are at a significantly higher risk for developing these health concerns. These concerns can often be addressed and resolved with the support of a mental health professional. PTSD in Veterans. Sexual Abuse in the Military. Depression and Anxiety in Veterans.

How many Vietnam veterans have PTSD?

The lifetime prevalence of PTSD for Vietnam veterans is 30% .

Why do veterans feel disconnected from their families?

Factors such as poor health (physical and mental), unemployment, and financial difficulties can contribute to negative thoughts and moods. Upon returning home, some veterans report feeling disconnected from family members and friends.

Why do veterans have depression?

Depression and Anxiety in Veterans. Mental health conditions that adversely affect mood, such as depression and anxiety, are also prevalent among military veterans—and veterans may experience these issues for many different reasons. Factors such as poor health (physical and mental), unemployment, and financial difficulties can contribute ...

Why is military training important?

Military training establishes work ethic, devotion to nation and fellow man, completion of assigned tasks, responsibility, physical fitness and reliability. Any employer will tell you that a physically fit veteran is the best hire a company can have. They help save our nation and deserve the best.

Is the Veterans Administration a sick puppy?

The Veterans Administration is like a sick puppy trying to serve the needs of our veterans. As the Vietnam War started to end, attention and due pressure was placed on the VA but it seems to be of little avail. A veteran has earned the status that affords him/her assistance.

Do vets need a legal defense fund?

Yes, Vets need a legal defense fund to address the neglect they are receiving. How many Vets are homeless – sleeping in parks or in homeless shelters. Too many of them need mental assistance but we just ignore them as they wither away. These heroes deserve so much better.

Substance Abuse Prevalence Among Veterans

The Relationship Between PTSD and Substance Abuse

Treatment Options

• Due to drastic lifestyle changes upon entering civilian life and ongoing struggles with PTSD and other mental health conditions, many veterans have a difficult time coping on their own. If you are a veteran suffering from a drug, alcohol, or prescription drug addiction, please know that help is available. Like many other veterans with substance abu...

See more on americanaddictioncenters.org

Sources