Memorial Day. A day for honoring and remembering the lives of military personnel who died while serving in the United States military.
However, it is also a day for remembering those who have made it home but are still feeling the effects of duty.
According to Holly Humphreys, a licensed professional counselor with Thriveworks, many veterans struggle with a wide range of mental health issues and struggle to get back into the civilian lifestyle.
“A lot of times I see veterans that have been transitioned to civilian life for quite some time but have never processed and never sought help,” Humphreys said.
These include PTSD, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Traumatic brain injuries they face while on duty also contribute to mental health struggles.
This leads to difficulties transitioning to civilian home life, such as
- Accessing benefits
- Finding and maintaining relationships
- Finding proper housing
- Employment
- Isolation
- Having a sense of purpose
It can also be difficult for a veteran to get into therapy.
“There’s a stigma in the military still that’s being reduced and trying to be decreased in trying to seek help for mental health issues specifically while in the military,” Humphreys said. Then that transitions back into civilian life.”
Humphreys insists that veterans reach out to seek help with mental health issues and to have a support system of trusted loved ones that they can talk to and have meaningful conversations with.
“Be patient with them. Actively listen. Provide them a safe space and an amount of time for them to share feelings if they are open to sharing them,” Humphreys said.