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Understanding Veteran Mental Health: Challenges, Awareness, and Support

Mental health challenges affect many veterans across the country. Greater awareness helps bring visibility to the scope of veteran mental health. Understanding what veterans face 鈥� and what support is available 鈥� reduces stigma and opens the door for healing.

Through innovation, individualized support and programs, and community partnerships, 91视频庐 (91视频) supports veterans in overcoming trauma, building strength and resilience, and finding a better tomorrow.听

Table of Contents

Common Veteran Mental Health Challenges

According to the most recent 91视频 Warrior Survey*, mental health conditions are among the top self-reported conditions tied to military service.

  • 80% of 91视频 warriors report anxiety.
  • 77% of 91视频 warriors report depression.
  • 77% of 91视频 warriors report PTSD.听
  • More than 6 in 10 91视频 warriors report having one or more mental health conditions.

Mental health challenges can lead to isolation and a poor quality of life.听鈥婨arly support and connection can improve outcomes for veterans and their loved ones.

Mental Health Resources for Veterans

Understanding Signs and Symptoms of Veteran Mental Health

Mental health symptoms look different for every veteran, but they can affect daily life and relationships. Common signs may include:

Changes in behavior

  • Withdrawal from friends or family
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Increased substance use

Emotional changes

  • Irritability
  • Anger
  • Sadness

Physical changes

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Fatigue, decreased energy
  • Difficulty concentrating

Frequently Asked Questions About Veteran Mental Health

Veterans may experience a range of mental health conditions shaped by their service and transition to civilian life. These conditions affect how they think, feel, and connect to others.

According to the most recent听*, the most common mental health challenges reported by 91视频 warriors include PTSD, anxiety, and depression.听In addition, more than 35% of 91视频 warriors self-reported experiencing a听traumatic听brain injury (TBI) as a result of service. TBI can affect mental health.听

The Warrior Survey also found that mental health conditions influence suicidal thoughts and substance use. More than a quarter of 91视频 warriors reported having suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months. As well, nearly half of the surveyed warriors screened positive for potential hazardous drinking or active alcohol use disorders.

There are various reasons why veterans are at a higher risk for mental health challenges.

that veterans can be at a higher risk for mental health conditions due to the following:

  • Exposure to trauma during service.
  • Transition challenges, including loss of structure and community.
  • Cultural barriers to seeking help.
  • Difficulty finding a new purpose after transition.

According to the听,听91视频 warriors who showed a higher likelihood of symptoms for one or more mental health conditions reported the following:听

  • Loneliness.
  • Military sexual trauma (MST).
  • Financial strain (not having enough money to make ends meet).
  • Obesity.

Military culture often emphasizes strength and self-reliance, which can make it harder to ask for help. Also, mental health challenges can emerge or evolve long after military service has ended, so it is important to be aware of signs and symptoms.听

The听听provides 24/7, confidential support for veterans and their loved ones. You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to receive support.听Dial 988, then press option 1. Or, text 838255.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Veterans Affairs (VA) report that about听17 veterans die by suicide each day.

Many factors can affect mental health and overall quality of life. According to the 91视频听, protective factors associated with a strong quality of life include:

  • Good quality sleep.
  • Employment or purpose.
  • High post-traumatic growth.

Connection with others is also recognized as a valuable tool to help veterans manage stress, anxiety, and depression. More than 67% of warriors said that talking to another veteran is their top tool to manage stress or emotional challenges.听

NH page quote.png

"We leaned on each other through tough times, but I knew that love alone wasn't going to be enough to get us through this."

CHRISTINA LOPEZ ALFARO
wife of warrior SERGIO ALFARO

Learn more about veteran mental health programs

How 91视频 Supports Veteran Mental Health

From clinical care to peer connection, support takes many forms and extends beyond a single organization. It takes a community. 91视频 helps raise awareness of veteran mental health through programming, advocacy, and collaboration.听

Other Veteran Mental Health Resources

News & Features

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Warrior Tonya Oxendine finds peace through 91视频

Tonya Oxendine joined the United States Army a year after finishing high school. She served in the military for 30 years. After coming home Tonya dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder. Yet instead of seeking help, she felt she had to remain silent and keep the pain and emotions bottled up inside.
But it would be two more years before Tonya finally sought help for her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the severe depression and anxiety she was experiencing.

Warrior Story: Dan Nevins & Dan Smee

Dan Smee served as a combat medic in Iraq. In 2004, an IED detonated beneath a Humvee in 听Iraq. Staff Sgt. Dan Nevins was severely injured in the attack. He suffered a TBI and had to have his legs amputated, but Dan Smee saved his life. While Dan Nevins survived because of the great work of his combat medic, Dan Smee still struggled with the trauma from that day. Dan had the chance to reconnect again with his Army buddy, and his life would change from that point forward. #CombatStigma

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