February 26, 2018
Helping Veterans with Mental Health Issues: It’s Time to Give Back to Our Heroes!
Photo by Daniel Reche under Pexels License
Our brave troops are supposed to be rewarded with a peaceful and normal life after serving the country. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. Instead, most of them face service-related problems, one of which is struggling with mental health issues.
After returning home from war-torn countries where they engaged America’s enemies in combat, our soldiers were subsequently discharged and are now have difficulty adjusting to civilian life. Many of them are unable to cope well with the aftermath of war, especially with what they have witnessed and experienced on the field. Having been exposed to numerous life-threatening situations and seeing other people get killed, many of our servicemen and women developed psychological disorders.
Due to a number of traumatic events they experienced, these retired soldiers ended up with such conditions as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression, and anxiety. Some turned to substance abuse to cope with their nightmares and feeling of intense distress. Some who couldn’t take it anymore took their own lives.
‘What Can I Do to Help Vets with Mental Health Issues?’
Dealing with mental health issues is a matter that needs considerable attention. With hundreds of thousands of our veterans struggling with these issues, our government alone appears unable to provide the assistance each one of them deserves to get.
Our veterans made a lot of sacrifices and put their lives on the line to ensure our safety. Now that they have fulfilled their mission to keep America safe, it’s about time that we repay them for their heroic deeds. Helping them can be done in many simple ways.
You can arrange a fundraising event in your area. You can save money to fund support programs for our vets with mental health issues. You can have a rummage sale, organize a barbeque party, or host a gala event. It’s a good idea to do it with people who share the same concern as you do.
Help spread awareness. Educate people in your community about the importance of mental health and how it affects thousands of our retired troops. When you do so, you’re also encouraging them to play their part in supporting our vets.
Take part in charity programs. Look for reliable nonprofits that aim to provide better lives for our retired service personnel. Get rid of things that you no longer need and donate them for a meaningful cause such as providing much-needed assistance for our veterans.
Support Services for Veterans with Mental Health Issues
Do you know of veterans who are currently facing mental health issues? Help them out with any of these assistance programs:
Veteran Crisis Line is a free and confidential 24/7 service that connects our vets and their loved ones with VA responders. Some responders are also veterans who can certainly relate to the challenges and issues facing fellow veterans.
Make the Connection is an outreach campaign by the VA that raises awareness of mental health issues and treatment for veterans. It aims to encourage our former troops to get the support they deserve.
These are community-based centers that offer support and transition services to our veterans. Programs include counseling, outreach, and community service.
An online life-coaching program, Moving Forward focuses on helping and teaching our vets different skills on how to overcome the difficulties of life. It is also a useful tool for their families.
- Military OneSource
This is a free service offered by the Department of Defense to U.S. troops and their families. Military OneSource allows veterans to talk about any problems that bother them, including mental health issues, anytime they wish to. You can reach them at 1-800-342-9647.
- DCoE Outreach Center for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
If you need resources or any information pertaining to mental health and conditions associated with it, this is where you should be. Contact them at 1-866-966-1020. They operate on a 24/7 basis.
Help Our Veterans and their Families with Car Donations
Photo by Ali Alcántara under Pexels License
An old or idle automobile of yours can go a long way for our retired servicemen and women. By handing it over to Veteran Car Donations, you generate funds for nonprofits that are devoted to supporting our vets. At the same time, you get to enjoy a fair share of benefits through tax deductions!
What are you waiting for? Give our brave troops another chance to enjoy life with your car donations. Donate to us now at 877-594-5822!