A recent report by the Department of Defense's Defense Health Agency found that mental health disorders among active-duty US military personnel increased significantly between 2019 and 2023, with a nearly 40% jump in diagnoses over the four-year period. The most common diagnoses were related to adjustment, anxiety, and depression. Notably, female service members were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder at twice the rate of their male counterparts. This trend is concerning given that mental health remains a critical issue for the military, particularly as they face global volatility. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health care for those serving in uniform, stating "Mental health is health, period."
https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/01/06/military-defense-department-mental-health-disorders-anxiety-ptsd-report/Matthew Livelsberger, a U.S. Army veteran who served at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, carried out a terrorist attack on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, killing one person and injuring three others. The FBI found no evidence of terror ties to Livelsberger, but police said he was struggling with PTSD and other issues. In contrast, another U.S. Army veteran, Hayat Boumeddine Jabbar, who also served at Fort Bragg, carried out a terrorist attack in New Orleans, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more after pledging allegiance to ISIS.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-army-releases-assignments-shamsud-din-jabbar-matthew-livelsberger-after-new-years-day-attacksUkrainian forces are struggling with desertions as many of their most motivated fighters have been killed or wounded, leaving behind a growing number of troops who are forced to flee the fighting without permission. According to Lieutenant Colonel Siver, commander of the 1st Separate Assault Battalion, also known as Da Vinci, this is partly due to the harsh realities of war, which can be difficult for some soldiers to cope with. He notes that systemic changes in military culture and leadership could help deter desertions by providing better psychological support and training to prepare troops for the stresses of battle.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/01/02/not-many-are-made-for-war-ukrainian-soldiers-face-guilt-fear-as-desertion-cases-mount-from-fatigue/161733The Nachal Haredi organization has emerged as a source of support for ultra-Orthodox soldiers in Israel, addressing the mental health challenges they face after military service. Founded over three decades ago, the organization aimed to help integrate Haredim into the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), which posed significant cultural and religious challenges due to their insular community's limited familiarity with military life and daily routines that conflicted with army protocols.
https://www.jpost.com/special-content/addressing-post-traumatic-stress-in-lone-soldiers-the-critical-mission-of-nahal-haredi-834977The Marine Corps has a higher death rate among veterans who have recently left the service compared to other branches of the military. According to data from Military.com, the Marine Corps had a death rate of 53.7 per 100,000, while the Navy and Air Force had rates of 47 and 38.1 per 100,000 respectively. The Veterans Administration (VA) has increased its spending on veteran suicide prevention programs to over $17 billion in recent years, up from $13 billion in 2022. This highlights the need for specialized support systems tailored to the specific needs of Marine Corps veterans, as noted by Miller, a representative who expressed concern about the unique challenges faced by this group.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2024/12/19/veteran-suicide-rate-drops-but-persistent-veterans-administration-report/5971734650124/The US Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary is pushing back against the narrative that veterans are "broken" after serving in the military. The secretary notes that this label can be damaging and does not accurately reflect the experiences of many veterans. Additionally, the department is working to address high rates of veteran suicide by providing support services and resources.
https://www.defensenews.com/video/2024/12/13/new-treatments-for-troubled-vets-defense-news-weekly-full-episode-121424/Justin Jerada, a veteran who has served in various locations including Afghanistan and Japan, is sharing his struggles with seasonal depression. He attributes his condition to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and notes that it affects him during the winter months. Jerada relies on his service dog, Harley, for support and has found solace in community groups focused on mental health.
https://krcgtv.com/news/local/veteran-shares-struggles-with-seasonal-depression#The American Legion is promoting a public service announcement (PSA) called "Be the One" to raise awareness about mental health treatment and suicide prevention among veterans and civilians. The PSA, which can be viewed on Vimeo, is part of an ongoing effort by the organization to prioritize camaraderie and community in addressing mental health issues. The American Legion, with over 1.6 million members across the US, aims to promote a strong national security and support servicemembers and veterans through various programs, including mentoring youth and sponsoring community initiatives.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-legion-unveils-new-psa-for-army-navy-game-302329209.htmlThe Minister is working to enhance primary healthcare in certain areas, recruit more skilled professionals to provide mental health services to veterans, and establish sports programs as part of their psychosocial rehabilitation efforts.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-society/3934608-veteran-policy-strategy-is-living-document-and-will-be-adapted-to-new-challenges-mova.html