Military veterans speak on the importance of mental health COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – Since 1949, the month of May has been used to address the challenges of many living with mental health conditions. According to research, one in four veterans suffer from a mental health issue.
“The thing about mental health it’s real many of us have some of don’t even know it…,” said Major Cecilio Gill, who spent 11 years in the U.S. Air Force. “…You might be depressed and not even know it. Take it seriously because it could really affect your life, your personal life, and your professional life.”
Major Gill believes taking care of your mental health is important for those in the military to ensure you can take care of your responsibilities.
“A lot of times many of us see many things during war or even none war in the military whether it’s personal or of course military related where it affects your mind,” he explained.
Matthew Buckley, also a veteran, said mental health affects veterans in many different ways. He recalls one event involving one of his friends.
“Some of our service personnel suffer from what we call ‘moral injuries,’” Buckley explained. “I have a buddy who, as a fighter Pilot, dropped a bomb on a home who people on the ground said was full of bad guys. It ended up being a home full of three generations of an Iraqi family. He killed twelve innocent people.”
Buckley now works to help veterans recover from PTSD they gained while in active duty.
“It’s interesting because a lot of veterans I know do not want their kids to serve. I got two boys they grew up with their dad as a fighter pilot, they wanted to be fighter pilots.. they don’t want to serve anymore,” he said. “You can’t focus on mission success if you are not 100 percent. Just like an athlete before they take the field, if they are not 100 percent they are going to lose. Well if you’re an athlete you get to go home that night. If you’re not 100 percent mentally in our world you […]
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