Beyond the Battlefield: Supporting Veterans and Their Families Through Mental Health Struggles
It’s late 2019. Shortly after quitting my full-time hospital job, I stumble upon one of my most meaningful professional experiences. I started a part-time job performing disability evaluations for US military veterans who were struggling with mental illness, substance use disorders, or traumatic brain injury.
Many of them had been suffering with disabling symptoms for years - even decades - and they hadn’t received the support they deserved from the VA. I loved my time with these brave men and women. These were some of the most resilient people I had ever met. Through this work, I was able to secure long overdue financial and medical benefits for hundreds of veterans.
About 40% of US military veterans have a diagnosable mental illness or substance use disorder. Over 20 of them complete suicide daily. Many of them have spouses or partners who are overlooked. They suffer alongside these veterans and deserve our attention.
Here’s what tends to happen:
- Burnout: Spouses and partners often experience significant physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion due to the demands of caring for a partner with mental health issues.
- Isolation: The mental health issues of their partner can create emotional distance, communication breakdowns, and dissatisfaction in the relationship.
- Secondary trauma: Spouses themselves may develop psychological issues such as secondary trauma, anxiety, or depression.
- Feelings of helplessness: Many spouses feel excluded from their partner’s mental health care, leading to frustration and helplessness.
The mental health crisis among our veterans has ripple effects we often forget about.
Photo Credit: Jack Bell Photography
