psychology

This action plan will address the problem of veterans struggling with the stigma of PTSD. The US government has poured millions of dollars into improving access to mental health facilities for veterans returning from war, so why are we seeing veterans refusing to seek care? Understanding how we can help decrease the “stigma” associated with mental health will help more veterans become productive members of society, and help decrease suicide rates among veterans. 

While the Department of Veteran Affairs has tried to improve its mental health services, vetrans are still committing suicide at an alarming rate. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs (2014), roughly 22 veterans were dying by suicide per day, or one every 65 minutes. Some of these suicides could have been avoided had veterans sought mental health treatment. We must do more to eradicate the stigma associated with seeking help in order to help reduce the amount of veterans committing suicide.

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