Posted on Apr 3, 2016
Facing mental illness head-on may help afflicted veterans cope
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Just getting through life sometimes requires finding good in an otherwise bad situation.
Could this principle apply to the devastatingly high rate of mental illness in military veterans?
Rob Ruk, a Gulf War veteran and Gainesville resident, thinks it might.
“It has gotten better,” he said of the stigma surrounding post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other psychological illnesses, particularly as they relate to veterans.
Ruk believes the sheer prevalence of these conditions among former service members has helped educate society about how mental illness manifests and, ultimately, pushed more people in treatment.
“People need to understand that the more information they have on PTSD ... the better off we are,” Ruk said.
It’s almost cliché in its devastating toll. Every war leaves its combatants shaken.
An estimated 1 in 5 Iraq and Afghanistan vets have PTSD, for example, according to studies and Department of Defense reports. That’s 300,000 individuals. Yet only 40 percent of vets screened for serious emotional problems seek treatment.
Could this principle apply to the devastatingly high rate of mental illness in military veterans?
Rob Ruk, a Gulf War veteran and Gainesville resident, thinks it might.
“It has gotten better,” he said of the stigma surrounding post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other psychological illnesses, particularly as they relate to veterans.
Ruk believes the sheer prevalence of these conditions among former service members has helped educate society about how mental illness manifests and, ultimately, pushed more people in treatment.
“People need to understand that the more information they have on PTSD ... the better off we are,” Ruk said.
It’s almost cliché in its devastating toll. Every war leaves its combatants shaken.
An estimated 1 in 5 Iraq and Afghanistan vets have PTSD, for example, according to studies and Department of Defense reports. That’s 300,000 individuals. Yet only 40 percent of vets screened for serious emotional problems seek treatment.
Facing mental illness head-on may help afflicted veterans cope
Posted from gainesvilletimes.com
PTSD
Mental Health
Depression
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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Thanks COL Mikel J. Burroughs for providing a link to taking mental illness head-on. Hopefully there is substance to Rob Ruk's hypotheses that since many more people are aware of PTSD "the sheer prevalence of these conditions among former service members has helped educate society about how mental illness manifests and, ultimately, pushed more people in treatment."
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs, thank you for sharing this post, Sir. I honestly think that some Veterans are just too proud to ask for help, especially when considering the stigma associated with behavioral health issues. Veterans never want to be considered as weak considering our actions in support and defense of the Constitution and our great nation. Our actions have consequences, however, and the best of us are willing to accept and, if/when necessary, to confront those consequences. Being a Soldier was one of the most rewarding yet challenging jobs that I have ever had. Fortunately, I sought help before my burdens became too heavy. I hope that my fellow Veterans find the strength to do the same.
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