Great strides have been made in treating servicemembers with post-traumatic stress disorder, but progress must continue, military and medical leaders told an audience here today.
The military’s three surgeons general and the Army’s senior sergeant major spoke at an event to mark the third-annual National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day.
Air Force Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Charles Green noted that the good news is that there is recovery from PTSD, and veterans have access to the very best evidence-based care in both the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“The hard part is choosing to share your experience, and choosing to recover from something you might not recognize,” Green said, noting that more than 75 percent of servicemembers treated for PTSD are returned to active duty.
“My message to you this morning is simple: Seek the help you need … just do it,” Green said.
Raymond Chandler III, the sergeant major of the Army, called himself the poster child of someone with PTSD who is concerned about the stigma associated with seeking treatment, something which he says is an ongoing issue for many.
His first brush with a life-threatening event in Iraq became life-altering, he said, adding that it caused him to do things that led to a “downward spiral.” For example, during his post-deployment health risk assessment, he wasn’t completely honest about his situation because he was being redeployed.
“I felt that if I said truthfully what happened and what I was feeling, I wouldn’t be able to succeed and move on. I’ve come a long way since 2005,” he added, noting that he had turned off a good part of his life — the emotional, spiritual and physical elements to deal with being the professional soldier.
Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Matthew Nathan said it “takes a village” to conquer PTSD — and it begins with awareness across the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the private sector.