American Heroes: The Battlefield Against PTSD
Mental health professionals recognize that trauma comes in different forms and there is no “one size fits all” for treatment. Combat trauma was something observed after World War I, and it was through combat veterans that PTSD was given its name and recognition as a formal diagnosis in 1980. (van der Kolk, 2014). Since the beginning of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2001, our country has seen a tidal wave of soldiers returning home to face a secondary battle with PTSD. In response, a variety of organizations and programs have been organized to help fight this new epidemic, and one charitable organization leading the effort is the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). What first started in 2003 as a group who provided basic needs and comfort items to wounded soldiers returning from the war, the WWP has now ballooned into a sophisticated operation that has served millions of service members and their families. (Wounded Warrior Project, 2024).
The WWP project has three main programs to assist veterans. WWP Talk offers weekly telephone therapy sessions to veterans and their families at no cost. (Wounded Warrior Project, 2024). This provides vital care to those who could not afford private therapy and those who are unable to travel to an on-site provider. (Wounded Warrior Project, 2024). These therapy sessions also focus on the veteran setting goals while the therapist recommends resources and helps devise a plan to help the person achieve those goals. (Wounded Warrior Project, 2024). Project Odyssey is 12-week program with a five-day retreat that incorporates outdoor activities that teach veterans how to communicate better, develop resiliency, and restore self-confidence. (Wounded Warrior Project, 2024). Because many veterans are still physically active and enjoy adventure activities, this is a unique way to offer education and treatment while allowing the veteran to engage in activities that excite them. (Wounded Warrior Project, 2024). Finally, the Warrior Care Network focuses on more intensive medical treatment through a partnership with several world-renowned medical centers. (Wounded Warrior Project, 2024). Whether suffering with PTSD, TBI, or sexual trauma, veterans receive treatment that is custom tailored for their needs. (Wounded Warrior Project, 2024). This 2-week in person program gives the veteran an average of 50 hours of trauma treatment in addition to talk therapy, yoga, nutrition advising, etc. (Wounded Warrior Project, 2024).
Treatment for combat veterans is different from other types of trauma, because soldiers can also suffer from physical conditions such as a traumatic brain injury. (Rousseau, 2024). While a lot of the symptoms can be the same as those of PTSD, treatment options vary widely. Perhaps the most important goal in treating veterans suffering from PTSD is that we provide trauma informed care. (Rousseau, 2024). Regardless of the type of trauma one has suffered, the goal should be to provide treatment that includes a proper diagnosis, proven treatment practices, and a respectful collaboration with families and communities. (Rousseau, 2024). This is why the WWP programs are a valuable resource for our veterans. They receive specialized care associated with trauma from combat and they never pay for anything. All treatment costs, transportation, and housing is included. The founders of this program have made sure that no one goes untreated due to their financial circumstances or geographical location. The WWP is an example of a charitable organization formed to provide specialized care to a specific type of trauma victim. As a result, individuals are given care that is optimal for their condition and circumstances.
Sources:
Rousseau, D. (2024). Module 1& 2. Boston University.
van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Penguin Books.
Wounded Warrior Project (n.d.). Veterans & PTSD. Retrieved August 4, 2024, from https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/mental-wellness/veteran-ptsd-treatment-support-resources