Our Nation’s Heroes Face an Urgent Challenge
Too many of our nation’s service members and Veterans suffer and have suffered from the invisible wounds of war: post-traumatic stress (PTS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Many do not receive the care they need with a treatment that will make a meaningful difference.
Suicide rates among Veterans are not improving.
Significantly more (4.28x) active duty service members and post-9/11 Veterans have died by suicide than in “Global War on Terror” military operations: 30,177 vs. 7,057. For service members and Veterans, not addressing the invisible wounds of war results in both tremendous personal and economic costs as well as lost lives–both PTS and TBI dramatically increase the risk of suicide. Treating the underlying condition can help reduce the risk of suicide, but currently there are no treatments for TBI and only a handful of treatments for PTS, many of which are only effective in some individuals. The current approach to research into the invisible wounds is failing our Veterans and service members. Too few Veterans who experience the invisible wounds get the help they need with a treatment that will make a meaningful impact on their lives.
We can and must do better.
