Mental Health Ministries: To Erase the Stigma of Mental Illness

 

VETERAN'S DAY BULLETIN
Veteran's Day is Wednesday, November 11.   It is a time to honor and remember our military veterans...past and present.   We can make a difference in the lives of millions of people if we not only remember, but also reach out to support the troops returning from combat service.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has become a major mental health issue as our veterans return from serving in the war.   The Rand Corporation recently released a study estimating that one in five U.S. service members who served in Iraq or Afghanistan suffers from major depression or combat stress.   We are seeing an increase in combat stress, addiction, domestic violence and suicide.   Too often the ethic is to be silent about combat related mental health problems.   Only half of those with mental health problems seek treatment.  

Mental Health Ministries is offering an interfaith Veteran's Day resource that can be used as a bulletin insert or flyer.  It can be printed on both sides and cut in half to save paper.  We hope this will raise the important issues faced by our returning troops and give your faith community some ideas on how to be supportive. This resource is available in English and in Spanish. We also have an article, How Faith Communities Can Help Veteran’s and Their Families Readjust by VA Chaplain, David Lundell.

Mental Health Ministries: To Erase the Stigma of Mental Illness