In Honor of Veterans on this Memorial Day Weekend

Mental health issues are social justice and human rights issues. Let's talk about veterans...did you know that

Mental health is one of the top three health issues for veterans?

Returning veterans are not receiving sufficient access, support and resources to quality and effective mental health and substance abuse treatment either through the VA system or elsewhere.
In fact, a large portion of veterans are not even eligible for TriCare for various reasons or they choose not to identify as veterans for the provision of services.

So, where do these veterans go for help? How can they access mental health and substance abuse treatment without stigmatization?

Here are some staggering and sobering statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA):

• The number of Veterans receiving VA disability rose from 3.03 million in 2009 to 3.16 M in 2010. 
• The number of enrollees in the VA Health Care System rose from 7.84 million to 8.061 million.

• The number of Veterans rated 100% disabled in 2010 was 289,987.
• Those compensated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is 397,019.

• 1.5 million service members have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• 90% of wounded service members survive their injuries.
• Over 75% of service members report having been in situations where they could be seriously injured or killed.

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that in 2003, an estimated 56.6% of veterans used alcohol in the past month compared with 50.8% of comparable nonveterans.

• Heavy use of alcohol was also more prevalent among veterans, with an estimated 7.5% of veterans drinking heavily in the past month compared with 6.5% of their nonveteran counterparts.

• An estimated 13.2% of veterans reported driving while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs in the past year with 12.2% of comparable nonveterans.

• An estimated 18.8% of veterans reported that they smoked cigarettes daily in the past month comapred with 14.3% of comparable nonveterans.

It goes without saying that these figures do not truly reflect the sheer number of veterans (including their families) or the severity of issues because many veterans do not report issues, respond to surveys, access treatment and so forth. Imagine what the actual picture looks like!

We can do better. They deserve it.

Thank you and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Rae