Incidents of violence and suicide involving returning veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan are of great concern to everyone. Local newspapers across the country have reported on the numerous stories of assault, suicide, rape and homicide.
A recent New York Times story on the alarming occurrences not only ratcheted up public interest, but prompted expressions of concern from politicians.
In light of the double homicide that occurred at Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado, former Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar, President Barack Obama’s new secretary of the Interior, said he has become convinced that “because of the scope and nature of the problems related to combat stress, Army medical providers alone are unable to effectively address these challenges.” Sadly, I wholeheartedly agree.
I have seen firsthand evidence of this in my involvement in the Soldiers Project.
Impressed by the work being done by many in the therapeutic community, and out of deep concern that our veterans were not receiving adequate care in a manner which I, as a therapist, could provide, I agreed to volunteer my services, free of charge, to veterans and their families.
To date, 70 therapists are now offering support to veterans in the New York and New Jersey area, as well as to their husbands, wives, children.
Sen. Salazar called for a program to be instituted to guide returning veterans and their families through the often difficult transition from active duty to civilian life, but whether or not the military is equipped to handle such a task remains to be seen.
A broader network — one that extends beyond the military — is needed. Then those at the community level, such as police chiefs and district attorneys, and those in the private sector such as emergency room physicians can be educated on how to effectively support those who painfully struggle with re-acclimating to nonmilitary life.
The ethos of the military is to survive and endure, not to seek out help, which makes our efforts all the more critical.
The issues facing returning veterans are not exclusively violent or catastrophic. Families are adjusting to a shifting dynamic, and need marital, educational and occupational guidance as well.
One can hardly imagine how a soldier shifts from scanning for attackers in a 120-degree combat zone to scanning a local mall for a parking spot or riding the trains.
It is my hope that more programs like the Soldiers Project will emerge, and the families of returning veterans will become sensitized.
While we have made tremendous strides in our awareness of and support of veterans in the last 30 years, there is much more work to be done.
If you — as a returning veteran, a family member or a therapist who would like to become involved — have any questions, please visit the thesoldiersproject. org on the Internet, or you can call me at 212-242-3784.
Bennett Roth, Ph.D.
Member of the Board
Soldiers Project NY NJ