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Health & Fitness

Veterans Day: New Infographic About Veterans Mental Health

Did you know? Last year, more military members died by suicide than from combat. In fact, veterans currently represent 20% of suicides nationally.
Veterans Day is this Monday, and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is putting out a new infographic and PSA with Rep. Patrick Kennedy hoping to educate the public about this major mental health issue -- and help our veterans get the treatment they need.

APA's new infographic (also attached to this email as a .jpg for your use) to illustrate sobering stats about the military, suicide and mental illness. These stats include:

  • The suicide rate among our military community is at its highest rate in 10 years of war.
  • The prevalence of traumatic brain injury, which is associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation, is about 8% to 20% in military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • 300,000 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with PTSD.

Mental illness stigma is a serious issue in the military, and our troops need to hear that seeking help for mental health is a sign of strength. A soldier’s brain is a significant part of his or her body and should be treated as such. Many more resources can be found at APA's section devoted to military and mental health.

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In addition to the infographic, this new PSA with Rep. Patrick Kennedy urges military spouses and families to encourage their loved ones to seek help for their mental health as they would do for their physical wounds.

“It’s up to all of us as members of the American family to embrace our veterans so they stop suffering in silence,” says Rep. Patrick Kennedy.

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As we honor veterans on November 11, we must also remind them they are not alone, and we must encourage them to seek help for their invisible wounds of war.

Source: HomeFrontDC.com


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