Mental Health America is encouraging all Americans to salute the service of returning service men and women by strengthening support networks for our soldiers and their families as part of its “ 2008 May is Mental Health Month Connection Challenge.”

Although many remain on duty some are returning home to face a battle on the home front in making the transition to civilian life. Of the approximately 300,000 veterans from Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom who have accessed care through the U.S. Department of Veterans affairs, more than 40 percent are reporting. mental health concerns.

“Our nation’s soldiers and veterans represent the very best our country has to offer,” said David L. Shern, Ph. D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. “Many are coming home with invisible, psychological wounds that affect their family and daily life just as much as physical wounds. This Memorial day, we are reminded of the huge sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. Let us work every day to give them the healthy homecoming they deserve”.

One in five troops returning home experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [ PTSD]-distressing memories or flashbacks of traumatic events, such as combat. As many as thirty percent of soldiers who have seen three or four combat deployments have PTSD Often, these problems don‘t surface until months after troops return home.

With help available through these programs its easier to connect our troops with the assistance they are going to need when they get back home.

SOURCE:

Mental Health America, Steve Vetzner, svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net