The third part of this series focuses on spouses and caregivers, who are often on the front lines of helping a Veteran deal with posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
To America’s Veterans, their families, survivors, and caregivers: I know it is painful to see the images from Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan, especially for the hundreds of thousands of Veterans who have served there since that fateful day in September 2001. When our country was attacked, you and your loved ones made the heroic choice to run towards the fight. That courageous sacrifice matters and has made us safer, no matter what happens today or any other day.
The events in Afghanistan may also trigger reactions among Veterans who fought in other conflicts because it reminds them of their own similar experiences. If your distress is prolonged or you are unable to function well, consider seeking help. There are competent and caring professionals available who can help you with the most common responses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, moral injury, and complicated grief. It is a good idea to try meeting with a mental health professional at least once. The sooner you get help, the sooner you will feel better.
United States Army Air Forces pilot Ann Baumgartner made history as the first American woman to fly the Bell YP-59A jet fighter during World War II. She was a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program.
