file photo by Boyd Loving
November 10,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, November 11 is Veterans Day, so the Ridgewood Stigma Free initiative is focusing on veteran and military mental health. Twenty veterans die by suicide each day. Thirty percent of active duty and reserve military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have a mental health problem requiring treatment, yet only half of those people in need receive any treatment at all. Mental Health First Aid for Veterans is making a difference for veterans, military members and their families across the country.
Family members and personnel working with military and families are often not aware of how to engage veterans with mental illnesses and addictions. In addition to the impact of military service on the veteran, each has a circle of family (significant other, children, parents, siblings, etc.) and friends who are also impacted by their military service.
While military service often fosters resilience in individuals and families, some service members may experience mental health or substance use challenges. Thirty percent of active duty and reserve military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have a mental health con¬dition requiring treatment – approximately 730,000 men and women, with many experiencing post-trau¬matic stress disorder and major depression. Sadly, less than 50 percent of returning veterans in need receive any mental health treatment. The Veterans Administration reports that approximately 20 veterans die by suicide every day.
Individuals trained in Mental Health First Aid can help to:
• Break down the stigma associated with mental illness like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders
• Reach out to those who suffer in silence, reluctant to seek help
• Let veterans know that support is available in their community
• Provide community resource information
• Make mental healthcare and treatment accessible to thousands in need
