According to a recent RAND Corporation study, 300,000 troops returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or severe depression—roughly one in five soldiers. The same study shows that 320,000 soldiers have returned with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
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Since October 2001, 1.6 million soldiers have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Many have gone through multiple or extended tours of duty, leading to prolonged periods of combat-related stress or traumatic events.
An alarming 19 percent reported suffering traumatic brain injuries during deployment and 7 percent reported both TBI and PTSD or major depression. Shockingly, 43 percent reported never having been evaluated by a physician for TBI injuries. If it goes untreated, PTSD can lead to drug use, marital and social problems, unemployment, and suicide.
According to the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study, 15 percent of male veterans still suffered from full-blown PTSD more than a decade after the war ended. In the mid-1980s, Vietnam veterans made up 20 percent of the U.S. inmate population.
Disproportionate suicides and homicide rates among veterans is an outgrowth of the imperialist wars and occupations. A recent CBS News study revealed that veterans commit suicide at twice the rate of civilians. The U.S. suicide rate is 8.9 per 100,000 people, but rises to at least 18.7 per 100,000 when looking at war veterans alone.
Veterans of the imperialist “war on terror” experience a higher rate of suicide with at least 22.9 suicides per 100,000 people. A recent New York Times study found 121 cases of homicide or homicide charges involving Iraq and Afghanistan veterans after they had returned home.
The actual number of homicides committed by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is likely higher. Since the study relied heavily on public information, it is likely that the study uncovered only a minimum number of such cases.
These tragedies are a consequence of imperialist war and occupation. While a direct cause-and-effect relationship cannot be assumed, it is clear that trauma stemming from the realities of imperialist war exacerbates any pre-existing psychiatric problems and personal issues and has a direct connection with the higher homicide and suicide rates among veterans.
Even when soldiers attempt to get help, it is very hard and sometimes impossible. The deplorable conditions of the Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals are well documented. Countless times, soldiers with PTSD have been denied treatment, diagnosed with having a “pre-existing” condition and accused of lying in order to escape service. This despicable treatment comes from the same government that claims to “support our troops.”
PTSD is a treatable psychiatric disorder, but the ruling class has no interest in providing treatment. One-third of the troops involved in Iraq and Afghanistan have been deployed multiple times. The military knowingly sends into combat personnel who have mental illnesses or a history of drug or domestic abuse.
The RAND study concludes a national effort is needed to expand and improve mental illness treatment for both the military veteran and civilian health care systems. It further recommends training more providers to specialize in PTSD treatment. The report also calls on the military to provide mental health services confidentially.
All of this would be at best a band-aid for the problem; it will not stop PTSD and TBI from happening. As long as soldiers are fighting for the U.S. imperialist goals, they and their families will continue to suffer. Statistics on U.S. troops, who are much better equipped and protected than their Iraqi counterparts fighting for liberation, makes one wonder at what rates Iraqis are suffering from similar injuries and psychological trauma.
The only real solution is to immediately bring all troops home out of harm’s way. Not one more U.S. soldier should kill or die for empire in Iraq, Afghanistan, or elsewhere.
