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11 Facts About the Mental Health of Our Troops

Depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (an anxiety disorder that follows experiencing a traumatic event) are the most common mental health problems faced by returning troops.
PTSD symptoms can include recurring nightmares about traumatic events, hesitation to discuss the traumatic events, or difficulty sleeping or performing normal tasks.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder is diagnosed after several weeks of continued symptoms.
Psychiatrists project that 1 in 3 U.S. soldiers will suffer from PTSD after serving in Iraq or Afghanistan (or both). The rate for PTSD is two times higher for those men and women who served two tours, which makes up approximately 40 percent of all U.S. troops.
Between 2002 and 2012, 1.6 million service men and women left active duty and became eligible for veteran health care. Only 56 percent of all veterans sought treatment by the end of 2012.
30 percent of soldiers develop mental problems within 3 to 4 months of being home.
55 percent of women and 38 percent of men report being victim to sexual harassment while serving in the military.
Because there are more men than women in the military, more than half of all Veterans experiencing military sexual trauma (MST) are men.
An estimated 20 percent of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans turn to heavy drinking or drugs once they return to the U.S.
Between 10 and 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Possible consequences of this internal injury include anger, suicidal thoughts, and changes in personality.
In 2010, an average of 22 veterans committed suicide every day. The group with the highest number of suicides was men ages 50-59.
Medical help should be sought immediately if any of the following symptoms are recognized in a veteran: unusual behavior including drug or alcohol abuse, hopelessness, uncontrolled rage, dramatic mood changes, drastic sleep patterns, or threatened or attempted self-harm.