The number of military suicides has exceeded the number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq and continues to climb even after war’s end. This affliction has bedeviled all soldiers for eons because eyes have witnessed that which should not be seen: death, torture, and mutilation. In World War 1, it was called shell shock, in World War 2 it was combat fatigue, and recent wars it was combat disorder.
Vietnam veterans suffered dramatically but our government denied combat fatigue’s existence. Finally, psychologists in 1980 – five years after the end of the Vietnam Conflict – labelled it as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Still our government refrained from helping American soldiers. Instead the government authorized studies. It took a law suit by the ACLU that forced the government to care for this trauma in vets. My hero in “Second Chance against the Third Reich” acquired it during World War 1 and deals with it in World War 2.
The veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq should have received treatments set in place from the Vietnam era, but the suicides persist. So, I’d question the doctors and staff to re-address the therapy. Something isn’t working.
Think for a moment: how would you react if you went on patrol with friends in your platoon, and suddenly the enemy ambushed you, and your best friend was riddled with bullets and died in front of you. After it was over, the platoon leader said, “All right, saddle up. Let’s go.” Your body followed the order but your inner self didn’t. When you returned to the states, your inner self still resided in that killing zone.
Another example: When President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, his blood and part of his brain sprayed on Jackie’s clothes. That trauma remained with her for the rest of her life. She had PTSD but no one knew it. Jackie’s behavior changed after that moment, and I’m sure it affected her kids adversely. Sons and daughters of returning vets suffer even without being in combat.
The government is charged with taking care of its soldiers. So far, I don’t see it. If the government can’t care for its troops, then it shouldn’t send them into war.
Resources to get help:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/consult/consultation_program1.asp
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/gethelp/crisis_help.asp
https://www.mentalhelp.net/ptsd/hotline/
Never Alone: A global movement with partners all over the world, with one intention—to build trust, to co-create an alliance and movement supporting mental and emotional wellbeing.
#WWI #WWII #vietnamveterans #PTSD
