What Are Invisible Wounds?
Invisible wounds refer to the cognitive and emotional behaviors associated with trauma. This includes conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Many veterans suffer from invisible wounds years after returning home from combat. Unfortunately, many of these wounds never fully heal. Even though you can’t see them the way you can see the physical wounds a veteran might have, invisible wounds have a major impact on individuals experiencing them.
“An invisible wound, to me, is the trauma you can’t see.”
The Unique Challenges Veterans Face
While we all have poor mental health sometimes and anyone can develop a mental health condition, veterans face certain challenges that often lead to mental health struggles. Some of these challenges include:
- Trauma
- PTSD
- TBI
- Alcohol abuse
- Difficulty transitioning back to civilian life
- Depression
Related: 5 Ways You Can Help Support the Mental Health of a Veteran in Your Life
Your Invisible Wounds Can Be Healed
We want you to know that it’s ok to not be ok – and that you are strong enough to reach out for help. Your invisible wounds CAN be healed.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of vicarious trauma or PTSD, it’s important that you get help. Contact the Region Five Veterans Crisis Hotline – dial 988, then press 1.
If you have a 757 area code, you can reach someone faster by calling 757-656-7755.
Don’t stop there. Talk to family and friends, talk to your religious leader, go to the VA to get counseling. Reach out to whoever can help you get through this. Do whatever you need to do. You matter. Start taking care of yourself today.
In the following video, members of the SSG Fox team talk about what ‘invisible wounds’ means to them.