Transitioning back into civilian life from service can be difficult, especially for veterans who have seen combat. On top of navigating their next career steps, new living situations and the ins and outs of a new normal, many veterans return home with new injuries or mental health struggles they didn’t have prior to deployment.
Since 2003, the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has become one of the most active organizations working to ease transition stress, especially regarding the health of veterans, active-duty service members, their families and caregivers. In their effort to provide the best care to veterans, the WWP has announced that it will be investing over $100 million in evidence-based care for veteran mental health and brain injuries. The funding will be contributed to the Warrior Care Network’s two-week mental health program, designed to significantly reduce depression, anxiety and substance use disorder in post-9/11 veterans in a short period of time.
While the stigma around mental health has decreased in recent years, a lack of normalization within the veteran community has made it difficult for veterans to seek care. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, many service members who returned from Afghanistan and Iraq experienced a form of psychological distress, addictive disorders, stress, anxiety or other mood-related difficulties. Yet, a 2021 study showed that fewer than 50% of returning veterans utilized mental health treatment. Creating accessible, reliable resources for veterans struggling with their mental health will hopefully decrease these numbers, thus improving the overall well-being of our nation’s veterans.
The $100 million donation is the latest investment by WWP in Warrior Care Network, bringing the total to $336 million. Launched in 2015, the program is a national partnership between the WWP and four clinical partners: Emory Healthcare Veterans Program in Atlanta, Massachusetts; General Hospital Home Base Program in Boston; Rush University Medical Center Road Home Program in Chicago; and UCLA Health Operation Mend Program in Los Angeles.
Through these partnerships, the organizations aim to make it easier for veterans to receive mental health and brain injury care. The two-week program is entirely free and has proven to be quick and effective.
Of those who have already received treatment, more than 95% stated they would recommend it to others with similar struggles. Results from the 4,000 participants who have already received treatment showed the following:
- Veterans entering Warrior Care Network with severe PTSD can reduce their symptoms to milder levels in an average of two weeks. Typical therapy treatments take 3-4 months to achieve similar results.
- Nine in 10 veterans finish the treatment—a much higher rate than traditional treatments.
- This program is as effective at reducing depression symptoms as a standard three-to-four-month program.
- Veterans use fewer substances to manage their moods or symptoms. Warrior Care Network treats substance-use disorder alongside PTSD.
“Veterans tell us that Warrior Care Network delivers results unlike many other treatment programs, and that’s because of the shared expertise and contributions of our clinical partners,” said WWP Chief Program Officer Jennifer Silva. “WWP is very proud to invest in innovative research and treatments for mental health and brain injury care that are proven to help the warriors and families we serve thrive.”
WWP funding for Warrior Care Network additionally supports research in virtual reality, artificial intelligence, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and other potential tools that improve treatment for mental health and traumatic brain injuries.
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