Vietnam vets suicide rate is projected at 150,000 in total. For
this statement to be perceived as true fourteen vets would have commit suicide every
day for 30 years. There is a lot of speculation on the total for the count, 69%
of all vet related suicides were in the 50 years and older percentile. The VA’s
count for vets now is 22 suicides a day which would be 1 per 65 minutes. PTSD is also another common problem among
vets between 10-31% have experienced lifetime PTSD. The Diagnosis of PTSD wasn’t
recognized till a while after the war. Along with PTSD, depression, alcohol
dependence and anxiety are common problems among vets. The returned vets faced negative stigma from
the public which caused many to not reach out for help for the fear of being
labeled. Readjustment was another issue from adjusting from combat to civilian
life. Attempting to switch the mindset of war into normal functioning. Many
struggled with finding appropriate work that fit post war life. This did not just effect the vets it effected their
families as well, feeling the war stole their loved one. Many factors can
contribute to PTSD they are separated into 3 categories prewar, during and post
war. Some prewar factors can include depression, ethnicity, traumatizing
childhood events, the family’s financial status. During war factors are levels of
war exposure, traumatic injuries and depression. Post war factors include
readjustment, depression, and trauma. These issues are more widely recognized and
more programs are offered to help prevent suicides.
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/co-occurring/ptsd-suicide.asp
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PTSD from this war changed the US and world's approach on how to deal with the disorder. The suicide rate is baffling, and it shows how awful the war is on the psyche and mental health of the soldiers who fight.
ReplyDeleteI think it's terrible how many people don't know the results on the mental health of the soldiers who fight in war, as well as the effects on their loved ones that have to take care of them.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing our lack of respect towards the people who risked their lives in a war even if we weren't entirely for the war to begin with. In some respects I have to question which one has more mental problems: The veterans who have seen and participated in one of the worst atrocities any person could be forced to endure, or the people without respect for the people who suffered and endured through said atrocities?
ReplyDeleteI think it is so sad veterans have to go through this stuff just because they fought for our country. They experience traumatic events and it is hard for them to cope with that.
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ReplyDeleteThe stats on suicide among vets always hurts my heart. These people have given so much for our country and us as a society. It truly is a tragedy that we as a society are not as help driven to those vets' mental health and well-being. I think as a society and people we should be striving more vigorously to make an environment in which these vets feel heard and understood.
ReplyDeleteIt is astonishing to me how fellow Americans could not show empathy to vets who didn't even choose to go to the war, but were drafted and forced to go.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that the veterans couldn't get help for their PTSD. Not only was there a poor stigma, but in their time Shell Shock was a "woosy" thing to deal with since they did not fully understand the psychology behind it.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that PTSD could form before war. What are other mental health traumas Vietnam veterans have gone through other than PTSD?
ReplyDeleteMy grandpa was a victim of PTSD and had minor complications from Agent Orange. He had a rough life after the war, and I've heard he would sometimes wake in the night screaming obscenities about the war. That mixed with surgery complications led to his death 5 years ago.
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