After 20 years, the US is leaving Afghanistan, and already the Taliban has taken over. It’s been hard to avoid seeing footage of Afghani civilians chasing planes with the hope of boarding, Taliban leadership sitting in formal government offices, and more. Those scenes are difficult to take in for anyone, but especially for veterans of the Afghanistan conflict, who sacrificed so much to serve. It’s not hard to understand how seeing these things unfold could be a challenge for veterans and why it’s so important for providing veteran mental health support for those in need.

Some Jacksonville-area veterans are already reporting feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration while watching this situation unfold. With an estimated 87,000 veterans living in Duval County, that means your friends and neighbors need support right now.

To veterans, know your sacrifice mattered.

Your service mattered.

You matter.

Support for Veterans and Mental Health

Jax Therapy Network has told you about the special mental health challenges service members and veterans face, including PTSD. As the situation in Afghanistan continues to develop, veterans may question whether their sacrifice was worthwhile, fear for the safety of people they came to know in Afghanistan, or worry about the future of US military intervention in foreign countries.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs says veterans may deal with new or more extreme mental health challenges, as a result.

Signs that a veteran may be struggling include

  • Feelings of grief, helplessness, anger, or betrayal
  • Problems sleeping
  • Increased use of drugs and alcohol
  • Isolation
  • Increase in flashbacks or speaking about military memories
  • Heightened symptoms of diagnosed mental health conditions
  • Fear of the future, including a preoccupation with danger

If you know a veteran experiencing any of these symptoms, it is a normal response. But they don’t have to handle this alone.

Veterans – You Are Not Alone

Some of the standard coping practices for dealing with veterans mental health challenges can potentially be effective in this situation. Help the veteran stick to a routine, dedicate time to self-care, connect with a veteran mental health support network, and similar steps.

But unique to this situation, it’s important to remind the veteran how their service and sacrifice mattered. You can help them reflect on the positive times in their service- when they were able to help a family escape danger, when they secured a trip to the US for an Afghan national who supported their work, or even the other service members they mentored. Thinking about the positive impact on this micro level- the specific people the veteran helped during their service- can help focus on why their service did, in fact, matter.

It may also be helpful for the veteran to find something to do right now that gives them purpose. That can be volunteering at a local nonprofit, taking a class, coaching a kid’s sports team, or other outlets. Some organizations in Jacksonville are even working in support of resettling refugees, and they could use more help. If the veteran feels strong and comfortable enough to do so, they can even reach out to battle buddies, to try to be a support for them. This is not only a positive way to support others, but a reminder that the veteran is not in this alone.

If the veteran needs more comprehensive mental health support than loved ones and battle buddies can provide, that support is available.

Jax Therapy Network has a searchable database of local, licensed mental health professionals who specialize in military and veteran considerations. Help is also available for veterans in crisis, like someone having thoughts of suicide. The Veterans Crisis Line is available at 1-800-273-8255, then press 1.

Ready to find your therapist? Search the Jax Therapy Network and find help with veteran counseling services near you with therapy from professional therapists and mental health counseling support.