As our nation seeks to leave the war in Afghanistan behind, let’s not forget our troops’ sacrifice
Col. (ret.) Michael Hudson
When news broke that President Biden plans to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, ending a 20-year campaign that has tragically cost 2,300 American lives, many across the country breathed a sigh of relief. Redeploying our troops home from Afghanistan brings an end to our longest war, but it does not bring an end to each individual’s personal struggles. We can physically bring our troops home and out of harm’s way, but the full journey back will involve more than a change in geography.
For many of those who return home, a part of them never will. We must remember that their sacrifice went beyond the physical. Even after everything they have fought for and survived, the mental health crisis plaguing our returning veterans is one we must not leave them to battle alone. We supported them on the battlefield and in honor of all that these American heroes have done for our country, it is our collective responsibility to help them face the challenges they’ll find at home.
According to research released by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, 40 percent of the veterans who have returned from Afghanistan suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While PTSD is complicated enough on its own, many veterans also battle depression, anxiety, relationship issues, financial pressures and substance abuse, making their diagnosis and treatment that much more challenging. Studies also show that PTSD can lead to suicide ideation and behavior, and when combined with a secondary mental health condition, the risk increases significantly that the veteran may die by suicide.
https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2021/05/04/as-our-nation-seeks-to-leave-the-war-in-afghanistan-behind-lets-not-forget-our-troops-sacrifice/
