Mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder are among the greatest challenges facing returning troops, and there has been a concerted effort by the Pentagon and the White House to improve treatment. Yet despite the greater focus on addressing PTSD, there has been no increase in the number of troops who seek help. A recent confidential survey of troops in Afghanistan found that approximately half of servicemembers who reported mental health issues said they'd be perceived as weak if they sought treatment, according to USA Today.
Disappointing findings
The results come after officials had taken significant steps to reduce the stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment. The Department of Defense has been particularly active in urging troops to reach out for help while also improving their access to behavioral health specialists. This push has also lead to the creation of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Md., which specialized in treating traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. Still, experts say it will take time to change the culture.
"Despite efforts to reduce stigma … there still exists latent tendencies to view seeking behavioral health care as weakness," Army spokesman George Wright told the publication. "Leaders at all levels must continue to resist this culture by associating help-seeking behavior with strength-seeking behavior and by embracing the benefits of increased individual resilience."
Widespread issue
This isn't a problem that affects a small portion of the military community, either. Although there are no official statistics, experts estimate that approximately 20 percent of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars show symptoms of PTSD. And in 2012, the military suicide rate hit its highest mark ever, with more than 349 troops taking their own lives, according to NBC News.
PTSD can affect more than just the troops themselves, as their families can also feel the impact of the condition. According to ABC News, many spouses of servicemembers who have returned home with PTSD often struggle to convince their loved ones to seek help.
"It was probably the hardest thing he has ever had to do in his entire life, but it was the best thing he could have ever done; for him, for me and for his family," Amanda Cherry-Haus, a military spouse, told the news source.
The Freedom Bike Ride has become one of the most unique ways for civilians, servicemembers and veterans to honor fallen troops, and the third annual event recently kicked off at one of the most solemn areas in the U.S. About 25 cyclists began their five-day journey June 25 at Arlington National Cemetery. The ride is expected to be completed in Lewisburg, Pa., where the participants will arrive just in time for the town's Fourth of July celebration.
A new tradition
This is just the third year the Freedom Bike Ride has been held, but it is already recognized as a considerable success. Some of the participants are wounded warriors who must use hand cycles to complete the journey, while others took a more traditional route. Regardless of their mode of transportation, all riders have one thing in mind – honoring servicemembers both past and present. This is reflected in some of the landmarks they've visited in previous rides including last year, when they started their trip at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
"This year, we picked a starting location that I consider to be the most hallowed ground in the United States," Sgt. Maj. Kevin Bittenbender said in a press release. "And that's Arlington National Cemetery."
Troops honored many different ways
Lengthy journeys have become a popular way to pay tribute to the men and women of the military, and cycling seems like a smart choice given it's one that appeals to injured troops. So it should come as no surprise that the The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride has been a big hit. This program focuses on the rehabilitation of wounded servicemembers by outfitting them with adaptive bikes and taking them on two days of rides. For Therese Mangham, who was injured in Iraq in 2008, it was a big help.
"It was very difficult," Mangham, told CBS affiliate KDKA. "I wasn't getting a lot of support through the VA, and the Wounded Warrior Project, they came in and filled in the gaps where the VA wasn't."
Any events that help recognize the sacrifice of wounded warriors are certainly a worthwhile cause. According to statistics from the Department of Defense, more than 50,000 troops have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Beginning with the repeal of don't ask don't tell in 2011, gay and lesbian servicemembers have marked significant milestones in the last several years, and on Wednesday they celebrated another victory. The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional, and the decision could open up new benefits to same-sex couples serving in the Armed Forces, according to Military Times.
Decision met with applause
The long awaited announcement of the decision was met with support from a wide range of people. DOMA, the 1996 law signed by President Bill Clinton, defined marriage as between a man and a woman, and although several states in the U.S. have made same-sex marriage legal, DOMA still barred them from receiving federal marriage benefits. This was especially problematic for couples in the military, who were unable to take advantage of healthcare, housing and survivor benefits. This loophole had been criticized by many lawmakers, including New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand.
"Same-sex partners of military service members should not be denied essential benefits because of who they are," Gillibrand said during the introduction of the Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act. "We must ensure that all of our military families who have sacrificed so much have access to the services and treatment they need and deserve."
Support from the top
Lawmakers aren't the only ones spurring change in Washington, D.C., top military brass are helping lead the charge as well, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Most recently, Hagel and Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Obama recognized gay pride month at the Pentagon, USA Today reports. This isn't the first time Hagel has confirmed his support for the gay community. Earlier this year, he pledged to work quickly on making sure same-sex couples had the same benefits as other members of the military community. Advocates are hopeful that he will implement these changes as soon as possible.
"Secretary Hagel has already demonstrated his commitment to LGBT military families, just as he promised he would during his confirmation. Today the court cleared the way for him to take the next step," Allyson Robinson, an army veteran and executive director of OutServe-SLDN, an organization dedicated to helping those affected by don't ask don't tell, told Politico.
Although many veterans choose to use their GI Bill benefits for themselves, others decide to transfer them to their family members. However, those who plan on taking this route will soon see changes in the military's policy. Starting August 1, servicemembers who plan on transferring their GI Bill benefits will have to serve an additional four years, even if they are closely approaching retirement, according to Stars and Stripes.
Most servicemembers have had to adhere to this rule since 2009, when they first became able to transfer their benefits. However, for the last four years troops nearing retirement were exempt from the four-year stipulation. In fact, some did not have to serve any additional time depending on how close they were to leaving the Armed Forces. That exemption is over at the end of July, officials say.
"It's across the board," Keith Davis, chief of education and training at the Ramstein education office, told the news source. "Effective Aug. 1, all members of the military, regardless of branch, will be required to serve a four-year active-duty service commitment at the time they elect to transfer benefits to a family member."
The Post-9/11 GI Bill has been a popular benefit among servicemembers and their families. According to statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 646,000 people made use of the benefits in 2012.
Communities around the U.S. recognized June 22 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Day, but one of the most important observances was on the steps in front of the Capitol Building. Mental health advocates and veterans gathered to speak about the challenges associated with treating PTSD and traumatic brain injury in the military community, and while there are still obstacles to overcome, the Army is leading the charge with a multi-million dollar effort, according to Army News Service.
Collaborative effort
Although the Army is leading the way when it comes to studying PTSD and TBI, it is not alone. The branch is also taking part in a $60 million research study along with the National Football League, General Electric and Under Armour. The project comes is in addition to an executive order from the White House that diverted about $700 million to help the Department of Veterans Affairs work with other agencies to tackle the issue of PTSD and TBI. For Iraq veteran Brig. Gen. John M. Cho, who spoke at the Capitol over the weekend, such a broad approach is a good sign.
"The invisible wounds – post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury – are just as damaging as the visible ones," he told the gathered crowd. "They impact the families as well as the soldiers." He added that such initiatives can help remove the stigma often attached to the conditions.
Far reaching impact
As Cho hinted, the effects of PTSD are often felt by more than just soldiers. Families can be touched by the condition, and that is especially true when it comes to the youngest members of the military community. According to the VA, there are several different ways children of parents with PTSD might respond. For one, they may echo symptoms similar to the ones present in their parent, but they may also exhibit behaviors ranging from problems at school to depression.
Although it remains to be seen whether the Army's collaborative effort pays off, it's certainly a step in the right direction. According to the American Psychological Association, an estimated 20 percent of veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq have symptoms of PTSD. That accounts for about 300,000 vets, and with the number of returning service members expected to grow in the coming years the need for attention is especially great.
The lengthy claims backlog is arguably the biggest problem facing the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under pressure from Congress, the White House and veterans advocates, the department has taken significant steps to cut into the significant delays facing veterans looking for help with disabilities. There's still a long way to go, but the VA recently announced that it has made considerable progress. Officials say they have cleared 97 percent of claims that were at least two years old, Military Times reports.
A small step forward
VA officials cleared about 67,000 claims from the backlog, but there are many more veterans awaiting attention. An estimated 192,000 claims have been pending for between one and two years, and the VA maintains that it will address those next. The push is part of an ongoing initiative by the VA to ensure that all benefits claims are processed within 125 days by 2015. An ambitious goal to be sure, but likely a necessary one given the number of troops expected to separate from service in the coming years.
"We have made great progress, but know much work remains to be done to eliminate the backlog," said VA Secretary Eric Shinseki.
A variety of causes
Before the latest push for the backlog's elimination, there were approximately 900,000 claims waiting to be processed, and there were a number of factors coming together that caused the inflation. One of the biggest reasons was the influx of veterans filing claims for post-traumatic stress disorder and the increasing number of claims related to Agent Orange after the VA changed its regulations in 2010. Analysts say that a high error rate may be causing the backlog due to lengthy appeals, according to U.S. Medicine.
Electronic records a must
Aside from an influx of veterans applying for benefits, the VA has also run into problems due to its outdated record keeping. The VA and Department of Defense kept entirely different records, so when troops left the service it was not always easy to transfer medical information between the two departments. However, work on a joint electronic records keeping system could better improve this transition and result in improved care and a shorter wait for troops, according to FCW.
Much of the focus on helping servicemember find jobs after leaving the military has been placed on connecting them to potential employment opportunities. However, there's much more to the job search than that, as veterans also need to sell their skills, and Google recently held a workshop in Washington, D.C. to provide tips on how to do just that, Stars and Stripes reports.
The recent event, known as "Help a Hero Get Hired," welcomed 20 veterans and offered them assistance on everything from resume building to how to appeal to civilian employers. Among those who were there to lend a hand was Harry Wingo, a former Navy SEAL and current employee for Google. He says vets looking for jobs should focus on quantifying their achievements.
"Use numbers," Wing told the news source. "[Say] 'I improved things this percent' or 'these are how many personnel I worked with,' 'this is the dollar value of some of the equipment that I used.' That translates. Numbers are the language of business."
Programs such as "Help a Hero Get Hired" seem to have been working. May statistics from the Department of Labor revealed the unemployment rate among post-9/11 vets dropped to 7.3 percent.
Many troops make a point to enroll in college after separating from service. And why wouldn't they? The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers considerable tuition assistance, and earning a degree can make it that much easier for them to find a civilian job. Yet, while there are undoubtedly advantages to going to school after the military, there are challenges that extend beyond payment. Older vets may not fit in with the students who came straight from high school, but many colleges are taking steps to accommodate the unique needs of their veteran students, according to Military Times.
Indiana sets an example
Veterans who have enrolled at Indiana University have many services at their disposal. In addition to traditional amenities such as assistance with financial aid and academic guidance, the school is also home to a Office of Veterans Support Services. The office gives students who have served overseas the chance to meet with classmates who have experienced the same thing.
"You have some students here who are 18, 19, who have never left the state of Indiana," Anthony Arnold, an Afghanistan vet, told the publication. "And their biggest concern is what they're wearing to the party Friday night. And then you have older students who have served in a war zone and fought in combat. And so their priorities are different."
Lessons to be learned
Indiana's legislature is in the process of approving a bill that would require schools to provide academic, career and financial counseling for veterans, and it's a move that states around the country should draw inspiration from. Already, some schools have taken steps to be more accommodating to veterans, a smart move especially as thousands of troops prepare to return home from Afghanistan. For instance, officials at Penn State University recently announced a plan that would provide servicemembers who have been honorably discharged with priority registration.
"They definitely deserve our gratitude, praise and admiration," said the school's president Rodney Erickson. "On a more practical note, our veteran students are tied to a set timeframe for degree completion, so this action provides them with the opportunity they need to gain an education."
Education important to vets
Servicemembers certainly are not letting their GI Bill benefits go to waste. According to statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs, in 2012 an estimated 500,000 people made use of the GI Bill.
After leaving the military, many veterans may have a desire to continue their schooling at the collegiate level. If they do, career prospects and financial planning will likely be on their minds as they search for the right program.
What should come as welcome news to these individuals is that colleges and universities in Indiana will soon become more affordable to veterans, The Courier-Journal reported. Thanks to Act 177, which was recently passed by the state Senate, veterans who were honorably discharged, as well as active National Guard members from beyond Indiana's borders will be eligible for in-state tuition rates.
Not only is this a way to give back to the nation's veterans, but it will bring new talent to Indiana as well. Those who may never have considered pursuing a degree in Indiana could now make their way to the Hoosier State.
"They come here, get their degree, and then stay to join our workforce," Senator Jim Banks told the news source.
Of course, former servicemembers do not need to relocate to Indiana to receive help covering the costs of a college degree. Programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill also provide financial assistance for education to individuals who have received an honorable discharge, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
There's no denying that wounded warriors face a long list of challenges during recovery. Whether they're experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or adapting to a new life with a disability, the transition is never easy, and veterans often have to find unique ways to meet these challenges. A growing number of wounded troops have turned to yoga and have found that it not only aids in their physical recovery, but also on the mental side of things, the Los Angeles Times reports.
This trend has been reflected in the fact that hospitals operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs have increasingly offered the practice as a supplement to traditional therapy. There's good reason why, as early studies suggest that the meditative aspect of yoga can help ease symptoms of PTSD. It's also an effective way to strengthen muscles and increase flexibility, all of which can help servicemembers who have suffered traumatic physical injuries.
"Yoga is something that our warriors will actively engage in: It's a challenge and it has readily evident results," Navy Capt. Robert Koffman told the newspaper particularly when patients adopt it as part of their lifestyle.
Alternative therapies could become increasingly important in the coming years. An estimated 20 percent of veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan experience symptoms of PTSD, according to the American Psychological Association.