Veterans Gladiators

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Introduction: President Franklin D. Roosevelt notoriously stated in his inaugural address, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" (Roosevelt). While these words were originally intended to encourage bravery and resilience during the Great Depression, their significance extends far beyond that period, particularly for veterans grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For these veterans, Roosevelt's words depict the profound fear and numerous obstacles they encounter while navigating the challenges of accessing treatment and support through the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to the Mayo Clinic, PTSD is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms …show more content…
One example of this debilitating stigma is in the story of Simone Biles during the 2020 Olympics. As one of the most popular gymnasts in history, she decided to withdraw from the Olympics. By doing this she shattered the idea of athletes being viewed as “gladiators” who do not struggle with mental health (Thompson II). Similar to Simone Biles, veterans face a stigma that expects them to embody the strength and bravery that they previously showed during battle, post-war. These ideas and perceptions make it harder than ever for veterans to seek help and be vulnerable. Additionally, “stigma can be so powerful that desired and available treatment is delayed, terminated, or avoided, exacerbating symptoms, and transforming treatable conditions into desperate cases that can result in premature death” (Hooyer). Furthermore, this type of stigma is often perpetuated by the views of society and veterans’ peers. It is shown that, “veterans with PTSD frequently report a fear of being stigmatized by others, viewed as weak, or blamed for their symptoms as reasons they do not engage in mental health care treatment” (Drapalski). To work to decrease the influence of the public on stigma, departments must work in the manner that FDR did during the Great Depression. During the Great Depression, FDRs New Deal implemented initiatives like social …show more content…
Some opposing viewpoints may form around the assumption that the Department of Veterans Affairs is already doing enough to reduce the effects of its barriers on veterans with PTSD. They point out statistics like these, released by the Government Accountability Office, found that VA funding for intramural PTSD research increased from $9.9 million in 2005 to $24.5 million in 2009. The report also said that the percentage of intramural PTSD research funding from the VA's medical and prosthetic research appropriation increased from 2.5% in 2005 to 4.8% in 2009 (Mitka). These facts imply that the Department of Veterans Affairs realized a need for increases in funding, but it poses the question of whether it is enough to properly meet the needs of veterans. Contrary to the belief that it is, it is shown that the majority of veterans committing suicide (71.2%) had received health care in the 180 days before their death (Cole). In addition to these claims, we can also take the views of the public when it comes to the efficacy of treatment and suicide prevention provided by the VA. According to a Mission Roll Call research survey, “more than half of Americans do not believe the federal government has been effective in addressing veteran suicide prevention. For those who know a veteran or service member, this number is higher (Call). This information is attributed to the fact that
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