Issues

The current global health crisis has presented a complex set of intersecting challenges unlike any witnessed in the history of humankind. COVID-19 has shaken the pillars of our humanity and, in the United States, tested the boundaries of our political landscape as deep divisions about how best to mitigate the spread of the virus and provide economic relief lay in stark contrast.

Americans proudly place importance on thanking those who have served our country in defense of our freedoms, but we also must recognize that we have an obligation to many whose lives have been changed through debilitating injuries.

In recent years the topic of military discharge has entered the public spotlight with the role of post-traumatic stress at the core of the discussion. Though mental health is required for consideration during the discharge process, recent media accounts criticize the extent to which mental health considerations are actually weighed.

As we honor those Americans who have sacrificed so much in the service of our country, we must do more to address a threat that stalks all too many of them: veteran suicide.

Most Americans understand the potential benefits of pursuing higher education. Though higher education may not be for everyone, it certainly provides its own set of additional opportunities for veterans as they return home from service and begin to transition – and ultimately adjust – to civilian life.

As the stigma surrounding mental health has continued to lessen in recent years, more of an emphasis has been placed on suicide prevention and as a result a number of programs have emerged to varying degrees of success.

Last year the Department of Veterans Affairs released a report that found that 32% of veterans work in public service or charitable organizations. This is higher compared to their non-veteran counterparts, of which 22% work in those particular fields. Some may ask what makes veterans more likely to work in these types of organizations, but the fact that they do should come as no real surprise. It makes sense that those who choose to serve their country would find new ways to serve their communities in life after service.

It’s often said that “not all wounds are visible.” June offers the prime opportunity to reflect on that sentiment and conceptualize how we can ensure that even though some wounds may not be visible, they are still treated like those wounds that are.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Local events and in-person initiatives and screenings take place throughout the country all month long in an effort to lessen the stigma surrounding mental health and provide much-needed resources. After all, our mental health is ultimately a vital aspect of our physical health.