Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis Urges Community to Support Veterans and Families
Help For A Healthy Homecoming;November is Military Family Month/November 11 Veteran’s Day

Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis (MHAGI) is encouraging all Hoosiers to salute the service of returning servicemen and women by strengthening the well-being of our veterans and their families.

President Barack Obama has proclaimed November as Military Family Month and called on Americans to support military members and the families.

Many veterans and their families are facing a battle on the home front transitioning to civilian life. Of the approximately 300,000 veterans from Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom who have accessed care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 40 percent are reporting mental health concerns including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety.

"Our nation's soldiers and veterans represent the very best our country has to offer," said Tim Stoner, Iraq War Veteran and MHAGI board member.  "It is very unfortunate, but soldiers may return home with invisible, psychological wounds that affect their family and daily life just as much as physical wounds.”

This year Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis’ 24 hour crisis hotline received 58 calls from those who identified themselves as veterans. “We want to emphasize the safety and confidentiality that our hotline provides as veterans often worry about talking to their superiors for fear it will effect their military career, said Elizabeth Boyle, MHAGI’s Director of Crisis and Suicide Intervention. “We are working to eradicate the stigma that goes along with mental illness with the hope that everyone, including veterans, know that it is okay to seek help.”

One in five troops returning home experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-distressing memories or flashbacks of traumatic events, such as combat.  As many as thirty percent of soldiers who have seen three or four combat deployments have PTSD.  Difficulties reported by National Guard troops and reservists are even higher.  Often, these problems don't surface until months after troops return home.

These conditions have a major impact on families.  Many veterans cite "connecting emotionally with family" as a major concern.  The percentage of soldiers who have conflicts with family and others quadrupled after returning from combat.  Living and caring for veterans with mental health concerns is also stressful and can change the way families relate to each other.  This is particularly important because families play a central role in supporting people with PTSD.

A number of resources are available for veterans and their families:

Government Programs: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs operates 232 community-based Vet Centers which provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members for military-related issues.  Veterans have earned these benefits through their service and all are provided at no cost to the veteran or family. For a listing of the mental health programs that the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs office offers visit: http://www.indianapolis.va.gov/services/mentalhealth.asp

Operation Healthy Reunions: Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis’ national organization, Mental Health America, is also proud to champion Operation Healthy Reunions, a first-of-its-kind program that provides education and helps to bust the stigma of mental health issues among soldiers, their families, and medical staff to ensure that a greater number of military families receive the prompt and high-quality care they deserve.  In partnership with leading military organizations, Mental Health America distributes educational materials on such topics as reuniting with your spouse and children, adjusting after war, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  A resource guide on the program and related issues can be found at http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/reunions/.

This Veterans Day and every day, let us work to give our veterans the healthy homecoming they deserve.

Mental Health America of Greater Indianapolis is Indianapolis' leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. Mental Health America represents a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation--everyday and in times of crisis.

This Mission of MHAGI is to provide education, advocacy and service through programs designed to promote mental health; positively affect public attitudes and perceptions of mental illness through support and knowledge; and improve care and treatment of persons with mental illness.