The document discusses the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among combat veterans, highlighting that around 20% of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are affected. It also links PTSD to increased suicide rates, with a significant percentage of veterans not seeking treatment. Experts emphasize the importance of addressing mental health issues in military personnel due to the risks associated with combat trauma.

1. SAF Volunteer Corps
http://www.mindef.gov.sg
Crunching Numbers:
PTSD in Combat Veterans

2. It is often said that losing one’s mind is a soldier’s worst enemy. That’s perhaps the
truest statement of all. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is among the most
common mental illnesses that combat veterans suffer from, though the truth and
related concepts run much deeper than the initial claim.
Running Down Numbers
Veterans of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam are good examples. The
American research company RAND claims that of all the veterans who fought in Iraq
and Afghanistan, 20 percent of them suffer from PTSD. Other studies claim a 14
percent prevalence of PTSD.
A comprehensive analysis of the numbers go deeper. Male and female soldiers
returning from Iraq and Afghanistan show a 9 percent likelihood of developing PTSD
shortly after going home. Fast forward to a year after service, and the probability
jumps up to 31 percent. As for Vietnam veterans, high lifetime rates for PTSD were
recorded, ranging from 10 to 31 percent. Lastly, it’s also a fact that half of veterans
with PTSD do not seek treatment.

3. PTSD And Suicide
PTSD and suicide prevalence seem to go hand in hand as well. A survey of 1.3 million
veterans discharged between 2001 and 2007 reveals something of great concern. Of
the 1,650 deployed and 7,703 on-deployed veteran deaths on record, 351 deployed
and 1,517 non-deployed veterans committed suicide. The L.A. Times also reports a
50 percent higher suicide rate among those who served in the military.
The trauma experienced by those who saw combat makes them very susceptible to
suicidal thoughts. Such information must be taken with a grain of salt, however.
There are several studies which link combat to trauma to suicide, while others don’t.
Said studies claim that combat trauma survivors who were wounded twice or more
had the highest suicide risk of all.

4. Many explanations exist as to why trauma survivors are susceptible to suicide.
Experts point to PTSD symptoms. Distressing memories, anger, and poor control of
impulses are often linked to this. Researchers also claim that suicide prevalence is
much greater in PTSD patients that employ specific styles of coping with stress,
such as keeping their problems to themselves.
All of these bits of information point to one thing: any self-respecting armed force
must consider the mental health of its soldiers as critical facets of their well-being.
Sources:
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/safvc/roles.html
http://www.veteransandptsd.com/PTSD-statistics.html
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/problems/ptsd-suicide.asp