In the shadows of valor and honor, there lies an often-unspoken aspect of military service: the mental health crisis among our Veterans. In a candid and eye-opening episode, experts Mark Russell and Charles Figley dig into the heart of this issue, revealing the depth of psychiatric casualties and the chronic neglect of military mental health care.
The conversation begins with a sobering acknowledgment: the military health system is fundamentally unprepared to support psychological health in peacetime, let alone during wartime. This statement, drawn from a Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health, sets the tone for a discussion that is both critical and urgent.
As the episode unfolds, Russell and Figley take us through the pages of their book, chapter by chapter, critiquing and reacting to the evidence and documentation they’ve gathered on the mental health crisis in the military. From the broad spectrum of conditions that human beings may manifest when exposed to the neurotoxic environments of battlefields to the comprehensive statistical data that is often ignored, the conversation is as informative as it is unsettling.
The hosts do not shy away from the hard facts. They discuss the staggering number of studies conducted on military mental health care post-9/11, which repeatedly highlight the same issues and recommendations, yet fail to prompt any significant change. They touch upon the broad classifications of war stress injuries, ranging from neuropsychiatric conditions like PTSD and depression to medically unexplained physical symptoms and social behavioral manifestations such as homelessness and interpersonal violence.
One of the most poignant moments of the episode comes when the hosts discuss traumatic grief—a type of suffering that is as real and as painful as any physical wound but is rarely acknowledged or tracked by the military. The personal stories shared are heart-wrenching, illustrating the profound impact of war on the human psyche.
But it’s not just the warfighters who bear the brunt of these invisible injuries. The conversation also turns to the families of Veterans, who often suffer silently, witnessing their loved ones struggle with the aftermath of war. The ripple effect of unmet mental health needs extends far beyond the individual, affecting spouses, children, and communities.
As the episode comes to a close, an invitation is extended to listeners to provide feedback and share their own experiences. This call to action is a reminder that while the episode may end, the conversation and the need for awareness and change continue.
If you’ve ever wondered about the full cost of war, the mental toll it takes on those who serve, and the families who support them, this is an episode you cannot afford to miss. Tune in, listen, and join the movement to bring much-needed attention to military mental health care.
Brand New Episode Tuesday nights at 7 PM CST on CHW Streaming Radio.
