Wounded Veterans Are Still Navigating the Invisible Wounds of War

Three-quarters of post-9/11 wounded veterans report experiencing a serious mental health concern, according to a Wounded Warrior Project survey. Many are reluctant to seek help or don’t know where to turn. This must change.

Throughout the Global War on Terror, more than 7000 service members gave their lives and hundreds of thousands more were wounded either physically or mentally. The invisible wounds of the wars, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have been called the signature wound of the post-9/11 generation.

Now, 9 months after these conflicts have ended, the footage and video of armed conflicts in other regions can bring back tragic memories to America’s wounded warriors. Those heartbreaking and disturbing scenes can also compound existing mental health issues. The need to treat these wounds is growing.

In Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) most recent Annual Warrior Survey of post-9/11 wounded veterans, at least 75% of survey participants reported experiencing a serious mental health concern, such as PSTD. In addition, mental health issues are more than twice as common as physical ones among warriors registered with WWP.

The survey data also show that many warriors don’t know where to turn for help or are reluctant to reach out for mental health assistance.

Approximately 1 in 5 WWP warriors reported difficulty or delays in receiving or continuing professional mental health care. Of those warriors, nearly 4 in 5 (78%) said they want to solve the problem on their own and 2 in 3 feel embarrassed or ashamed about getting such care. Nearly 3 in 5 (59%) are unsure where to find the care.

Female vets especially face unique obstacles when it comes to feeling supported among their peers and access to health care. Women veterans are the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population; therefore, there is a growing demand to understand their unique experiences and provide the necessary support.

For example, the WWP survey data shows that female warriors are significantly more likely than males to report being lonely. Over 87% feel people who are not in the military do not understand their experience. In addition, nearly 7 in 10 (67%) WWP female warriors have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), compared with approximately 6% of male warriors.
This loneliness, isolation, and reluctance to seek out care are having a massive impact. Our Annual Warrior Survey also concluded that nearly 1 in 4 warriors had suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months. Of the warriors who reported these suicidal thoughts, most (70%) had them within the past 2 weeks. According to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, released in September 2021, suicide rates for women alone have increased more than for men.

A separate June 2021 study released by Brown University showed that more than 30,000 post-9/11 active-duty personnel and veterans have been lost to suicide. That rate is 1.5 times the rate of suicide in the general population when adjusted for age and sex.

Post-traumatic reactions can vary from individual to individual. If reactions interfere with a warrior’s life, do not improve, or worsen over time, they must get the help they need and deserve.

How We Can Serve Those Who Served Us

The tide is turning through support of warriors and their families, including combat stress recovery programs, intensive outpatient services, and a focus on building community and camaraderie. We must push back against stigma and show that real strength is in seeking help.

For women warriors specifically, there’s also much the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and others can do to support female veterans’ unique experiences and improve their quality of care, such as:

• Providing better access to gender-specific care
• Offering benefits and services related to MST
• Facilitating ongoing connection and support, especially in peer connection, mentorship, and professional networks
• Improving VA to be a safer and more welcoming environment

We must work to remind veterans they are not alone during this challenging time and that their service and sacrifice aren’t forgotten. Those living with the invisible wounds of war don’t need to feel isolated or discouraged from confronting their trauma and seeking help that can improve their well-being and quality of life.

Erin Fletcher, PsyD, is Warrior Care Network Director for the Wounded Warrior Project.