(Patrick Jacobs, FaithSignal.com)
With 2025 rapidly approaching, the focus on veterans’ mental health has never been sharper. All of our valiant warriors have sacrificed so much, and we owe it to them to be more proactive about helping them stay mentally healthy.
Let’s face it – military-to-civilian transition is no cakewalk. It’s more like trudging through a minefield, from PTSD to depression and anxiety. But the good news is: we’re starting to acknowledge these facts and take steps.
No longer should it constitute an act of weakness to ask for help. The attitudes are changing dramatically, and more veterans are empowered to seek help when they need it. It’s about time, right?
One area is the utilization of the benefits of telemedicine from the privacy of their homes, where mental health treatment is easy to find. No more long trips to the VA for a quick check-in – it’s all on your screen, AND PRIVATE!!!!
But that’s not just therapy anymore. Yoga, art therapy, mindfulness – you name it. It is a process that is increasingly as heterogeneous as our veterans themselves. It’s as if we are finally realizing that there is no universal mental health model.
One of the most uplifting trends is the proliferation of veteran-to-veteran support networks such as Wounded Warriors or Valor Lakes . Who better to tell you how different our vets’ life is than someone who stepped in them? These peer support groups are revolutionizing the fight against loneliness and enhancing mental health. Also Lifeline for Vets is a valuable first step resource to help mitigate any immediate help – (888) 777-4443
And what of the families? The effects of service go well beyond the veteran, and I’m glad that more attention is now paid to spouses and children. We have stronger families, and better veterans.
Looking forward, to 2025, we need to see even more innovative solutions. Virtual reality therapy? It’s already in the works. Increased investment in mental health services? YES! Better coordination between different agencies? ABSOLUTELY a need.
The twist, though, is that we’re no longer treating symptoms. We’re focusing more on prevention and resilience. It’s as if we’re finally discovering that prevention really does make a cure.
In the march toward 2025, we have one important thing to say: we don’t want our veterans mentally ill. But it’s no longer a matter of preaching about their sacrifice – now we need action, solutions and an obligation to make sure that all veterans get the resources they need to succeed in civilian life.
