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Mental Health Treatment For Veterans

Whether serving at home or abroad, returning from military service can be a task of great difficulty. Transitioning back to civilian life is not an easy task and requires focus and dedication. But this transition is not the only obstacle veterans face when returning home. Veterans might experience things during their service that can affect their long-term mental health, making the transition back to civilian life all the more difficult. Thankfully, there are mental health treatments available for military service members and the families of veterans. 

WellMind is ready to help. Our team is well versed in the needs of our nation’s veterans. We offer a wide variety of services well suited for the mental health concerns of those returning home from active service. We are dedicated to working with our participants’ schedules to ensure that getting help is as easy as possible. 

Mental Health Treatment For Veterans

The mental health needs of each veteran are different, and the Peer Mental Wellness team embraces that fact. There is no one size fits all solution. However, there is some commonality among why veterans often seek mental health treatment.

Anxiety

Anxiety is normal. It is a natural reaction to a stressful event. However, sometimes the feelings of stress we associate with anxiety don’t go away and can even worsen over time. This anxiety can be experienced through stress but also through nightmares, racing pulse, and excessive worry or fear.

Depression

Depression is defined by consistent feelings of sadness/despair and or depressed mood. This mental health concern can go on to affect numerous aspects of everyday life and grow in severity if left untreated. The most common symptoms of depression are sensations of hopelessness, angry outbursts and irritability, issues with sleep and appetite, and social disengagement.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by a traumatic event. Whether the event is witnessed or experienced, people who have PTSD can experience various symptoms:

  • Intrusive or recurrent thoughts
  • Unwanted memories
  • Bad dreams
  • Flashbacks

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is a common reaction to traumatic experiences as using these substances provides a momentary sense of relief from feelings of pain or anguish. However, substance abuse is typically a sign of greater or more serious issues.

Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideations can be attributed to several influencing factors. This includes the mental health conditions described above. Leaving these conditions untreated can lead to them increasing in severity, thereby increasing the risk of suicidal ideations. If you or someone you know is a veteran experiencing any of the issues listed above, there are services available that can help.

WellMind: Mental Health Treatment For Veterans And Their Loved Ones

When loved ones go through times of mental hardship, it can affect family members as well. Of course, this is not to say that the two experiences are the same, but when those you love are in pain, you’re likely to feel pain as well. It is very common for the family members and loved ones of veterans with mental health conditions to seek help for themselves. Family and loved ones can experience all the symptoms listed above, but luckily the very same services are available to them as well. 

Transitioning back to civilian life or helping a loved one through this transition can be difficult, but it does not have to be undertaken alone. For more information on mental health treatments available for military service members and the families of veterans, contact WellMind today at 844-844-8884. 

Mental Health Treatment For Military Service Members 

There are many services available for veterans seeking mental health treatment. These programs include: 

  • Prolonged exposure therapy: Prolonged exposure therapy is a form of treatment that supports bringing participants face-to-face with their emotions so that they may embrace any unaddressed feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress. 

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on exploring the connections we make between past experiences and the feelings associated with those memories. CBT addresses our stress and anxiety at its root so that participants may more fully understand their issues. It addresses symptoms related to trauma through open dialogue and communication.

  • Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy,” is exactly what it sounds like, a therapy session where a participant and therapist talk through any and all lingering issues affecting everyday life. Psychotherapy is known to help relieve anxiety and stress, resolve conflicts, help cope with life changes, come to terms with injury and abuse, and even help participants sleep better at night.