Young veteran says mental health is stigmatized

Michael Broadway during a thirteen-month deployment in Afghanistan. {Contributed Photo}

Memorial and Veterans Day are two national holidays which honor the sacrifices of Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and celebrate the people who served and affirms the values Americans hold as a nation. As the daughter, granddaughter and niece of war veterans, I grew up hearing about individual military experiences. So, I set out to find accounts that would reflect some of the sacrifices of younger American service members.

This is how I met Michael Broadway. In my history of writing and reporting, I can say I have never had an interviewee be so open about his mental health. Broadway was recommended by a family member who shared a tiny portion of his experiences, but he wasn’t sure if the former soldier would open up and I didn’t want to pry.

The 2007 Lexington Senior High School grad was more than willing to talk about his experiences after learning what I planned to do with the information. Broadway explained that while he spent the majority of his service on base at Fort Eustis, Virginia, a thirteen-month deployment in Afghanistan from June 2009 to July of 2010 altered his life. In 2009, his unit was attacked while transporting cargo between bases. Broadway’s vehicle was struck by an IED, improvised explosive device, and although his back was ravaged, the young man wanted to talk more about the pain it left within.

Broadway’s military career has ended, but maintaining contact with his comrades led him to seek treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in an effort to rebuild relationships with his family and three children. Broadway had distanced himself upon his return from duty.  It wasn’t until he realized that many in his unit were struggling through the same issues of rage and isolation that he sought help. “It was like we were still in the military waiting for someone to come and get us but there was no real enemy. Many felt disconnected from families and didn’t have relationships with their children.” After the interview, I thanked Broadway for his candor. Even though he has separated from the army, it’s clear he still considers it his duty to help his fellow soldiers. “We have to talk about this or else we will feel like we are going crazy.”

Discussions with Broadway led me to more research about the impact of war on young veterans. “Bringing the War Back Home: Mental Health Disorders” published by the Department of Veteran Affairs recognizes that recent military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan represent the most sustained ground combat operations involving American forces since Vietnam. “The majority of military personnel experience high-intensity guerrilla warfare and the chronic threat of roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices. Some soldiers endure multiple tours of duty, many experience traumatic injury, and more of the wounded survive than ever before. Reports have suggested high rates of mental health disorders including PTSD, depression, suicide and alcohol use among active duty military personnel and veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and, to a lesser extent, Operation Enduring Freedom.” Mental health issues for US veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are being treated at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities but authorized reports indicate that they are “stigmatized” and “underutilized” by young veterans. A March 2012 journal published by the American of Public Health Association also noted that health, substance abuse, and financial and relationship problems were more common in younger than older veteran decedents.

Support veterans seeking mental health programs:

According to NAMI (The National Alliance for Mental Illness)

Veterans in this country come from different eras, fought in different battles, used different weaponry and wore different uniforms, but they all share a common experience: the experience of training, moving from place to place, fighting (or training to fight) and living a life that is ever changing.

Due to the unique, and sometimes challenging, lifestyle inherent to military life, often our veterans experience mental health challenges such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury or depression. They list 5 ways you can support.

I now type the words “Freedom isn’t free” realizing that some who survived will pay that cost for a lifetime.

Thank you for your sacrifice!