Afghanistan: Resources available for PTSD

This is the last in a four-part series about Afghanistan Veterans and how they can get help through VA. Read the other parts:

Part 1: Afghanistan: How Veterans can reconcile service

Part 2: Afghanistan: How Veterans can learn from Vietnam Veterans

Part 3: Afghanistan: How spouses, caregivers can support Veterans

The last part of this series focuses on resources available for PTSD. While this series focused on Afghanistan Veterans, options apply to all Veterans.

There are several effective options to treat PTSD. According to Dr. Sonya Norman, director of the National Center for PTSD Consultation Program, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Choosing a treatment from the options that we know work well should take into account your doctor’s recommendations and your preferences. Knowing the different options allows a Veteran to choose a treatment that is the best fit for them.

Active duty and Veterans should not be ashamed of getting the help they need, said Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón “CZ” Colón-López. An Afghanistan Veteran himself who battled PTSD, Colón-López said seeking mental health help should be routine.

“We don’t think twice about putting weapon systems in maintenance because we need them,” Colón-López said. “We run quality control checks on everything. But the one decisive advantage we have as a U.S. military is the human weapon system. This is no different, so we need to make sure we take care of everything that we can right now as we draw down in Afghanistan. This is our depot maintenance period.”