By Chris Flaherty, Chief Executive Officer of Nation’s Finest
A new year often brings resolutions and fresh intentions. For many of us who’ve served in the military, it’s also a time to confront the silent wounds we carry. While PTSD Awareness Month is designated for June, the need for awareness doesn’t follow the calendar. In fact, January may be the most fitting moment for all—not just for public campaigns but also for personal reckoning. The awareness needed most for PTSD is not for the general public; it is found within oneself, especially for those of us who have worn the uniform. The start of a new year is a time to reflect inward, take stock of where we are and recommit to healing.
That is why I chose this magazine to share my story—so I can speak directly to my fellow veterans. I served almost 28 years on active duty in the Navy and flew more combat missions in more places than I care to remember. Like so many of you—my brothers and sisters in uniform—I was trained to stay focused on the mission and keep moving forward.
Compartmentalization became my superpower. It helped me to survive the moment, but with time, it would threaten my being.
Today, the numbers tell a sobering story: around 1 in 3 veterans seeking care from the VA report symptoms of PTSD. And more than half of those struggling with mental health do not seek the help they need. I should know—I was one of the “ones” who did not reach out. PTSD happened to others, not me. Or so I had convinced myself. Besides, I experienced what I experienced in combat from 30,000 feet and above, not three meters close in—what trauma could there be in that?
Yes, we have made progress toward achieving broader awareness of PTSD—how and why it needs to be recognized and how to tackle it. We have better screening, more accessible mental health services and public figures who speak candidly about their struggles. But we still need to erode the stigma and address the very real fear of what it might mean for your career, your relationships and how you will be seen by those closest to you.
In fact, that is exactly where you should begin—with those closest to you. I consider peer support one of the most effective remedies. There is incredible healing power in the bond forged with those who share common experience, regardless of military branch or era of service. The simple conversations that happen between veterans—whether it’s over coffee, in group therapy or on a late-night phone call—make all the difference. We need to strengthen these networks and make sure every veteran, no matter where they are, knows how to find their people.
Veterans should also realize not all of their people need to have worn the uniform—much to the contrary, actually. We need to find those people who do not flinch at the words we sometimes have to say out loud. For me, those were two people, neither of whom served. First, I got introduced to a culturally sensitive mental health professional. She listened and took the time to understand the many faces and seasons of my trauma. She also held me to account. That kind of understanding cannot be faked, and when you find it, it transforms. I am forever in her debt.
I found the second much closer to home. A year after my retirement, my wife had become abundantly aware of PTSD, but I had not. She held up the mirror when I could not or would not. Because she did, she certainly saved our marriage and likely saved my life.
That is my hope for all of you—to change the focus when thinking about what “PTSD Awareness” really is. Do not let it be exclusively outward, but just as importantly, turn it inwardly. Continue to check on each other and build systems that work for you, but also find your people, especially those who care enough to hold up the mirror to you and for you. When you do, these moments of reflection will not be defined by a month on a calendar. They will become part of your every day, opportunities of true (self) awareness, and that will make all the difference. I know it did for me.
Author’s note: You can find “your” people just about anywhere, including community-based organizations like Nation’s Finest. For more than 50 years, Nation’s Finest has helped veterans and their families navigate the challenges of life after service—providing the support they need to feel safe, seen and strong again. Learn more at https://www.NationsFinest.org.
Read more articles for the Veteran Community here.
