Note: Sergeant Mike Garcia is a fictional character, but his experiences represent the real challenges that many veterans face after military service.
At 3 AM, Sergeant Mike Garcia bolts upright in bed, his heart racing and sweat soaking through his t-shirt. The thunder outside his window sounds too much like mortar fire. Four years after returning from his third deployment to Afghanistan, the nightmares still come several times a week.
"When I first got home, I thought I was fine," Mike says, running a hand through his short dark hair. "I was just happy to be back with my wife and kids. But then things started to change. I couldn't sleep. I'd get angry over nothing. Crowded places made me feel like I would jump out of my skin."
Mike's story is not unusual. Like many of America's 19 million veterans, he returned home carrying invisible wounds alongside his duffel bag. For him, the diagnosis was Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. His journey through treatment, setbacks, and eventual improvement highlights the challenges many veterans face - and the hope that proper support provides.
Common Mental Health Issues Among Veterans
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is one of the most common mental health problems for veterans. About 7% of all veterans will have PTSD at some point in their lives, compared to 6% of civilians. For veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, the rate is higher - up to 20% experience PTSD each year.
"The flashbacks were the worst," Mike explains. "I'd be driving down the highway and see trash on the road, and suddenly I was back there, worried about IEDs. Once I swerved so badly I almost crashed."
Veterans who deployed to combat zones are three times more likely to develop PTSD than those who didn't deploy. Women veterans using VA healthcare have higher rates of PTSD (24%) compared to men (14%), partly because of military sexual trauma.
Depression
Depression affects many veterans, with symptoms like ongoing sadness, loss of interest in activities, sleep problems, and thoughts of suicide. About 10% of veterans treated by the VA have major depressive disorder.
For Mike, depression crept in slowly. "I stopped doing things I used to enjoy. Fishing, coaching my son's baseball team - it all seemed pointless. I was just going through the motions."
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can be triggered by trauma or the stress of transitioning to civilian life. Mike found himself avoiding family gatherings and his children's school events. "The idea of being in a crowd made my chest tight. I'd make excuses not to go and then feel guilty about letting my family down."
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
TBI can happen from combat injuries and often occurs alongside PTSD or depression. As many as 23% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan experienced TBI, with most cases being mild.
Substance Use Disorders
Veterans might use drugs or alcohol to cope with symptoms of other mental health issues, which can lead to addiction and other health problems. Veterans who misuse drugs or alcohol are more than twice as likely to die by suicide compared to other veterans.
"I started drinking to fall asleep," Mike admits. "A couple beers turned into a six-pack, then more. It was my wife who finally said enough was enough."
The Serious Issue of Veteran Suicide
On average, 17 veterans die by suicide each day in the U.S., showing the urgent need for better support and intervention. More recent data shows that in 2020, there were 6,146 veteran suicides, which equals about 16.8 veterans dying by suicide every day.
The suicide rate for veterans is 1.5 times higher than the general population. For women veterans, the rate is even more concerning - 2.5 times higher than non-veteran adult women.
"I had a buddy who didn't make it," Mike says quietly. "After he died, I realized I needed to get help, not just for me but for my family. I didn't want my kids growing up without a dad."
Mike's Turning Point
For Mike, recovery began with a phone call to the Veterans Crisis Line. "I was at rock bottom," he recalls. "I hadn't slept in three days. My wife had taken the kids to her sister's. I finally picked up the phone."
That call connected Mike to a VA counselor who helped him access the care he needed - a combination of therapy, medication, and peer support groups with other veterans.
Available Support and Treatment
Veterans have access to many resources for mental health support:
VA Mental Health Services
The VA offers complete care, including counseling, therapy, medication, and peer support. These services are available in person and online. Veterans no longer need to pay copays for their first three outpatient mental health care and substance use disorder visits each year through 2027.
"My therapist at the VA understood what I was going through without me having to explain everything," Mike says. "She'd heard it all before. That made it easier to open up."
Crisis Support
The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7 emergency help. Veterans can:
Call 988 and Press 1
Start a confidential chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net
Text 838255
Telehealth Options
VA telehealth services allow veterans to connect with mental health providers through computers or mobile devices from home or at VA facilities.
"During COVID, we switched to video sessions," Mike explains. "At first, I was skeptical, but it was actually good. I could talk to my therapist from my living room."
Specialized Programs
The VA has special services for TBI, military sexual trauma, homelessness, and justice-involved veterans. There are also residential rehabilitation treatment programs for more intensive care.
Mobile Apps and Online Resources
The VA offers smartphone apps to help manage PTSD symptoms, practice mindfulness, and track depression. Websites like "Make the Connection" provide information and resources.
"I use this app that helps with breathing exercises when I feel an anxiety attack coming on," Mike says, showing his smartphone. "It sounds simple, but it works."
Mike Today: A Work in Progress
Three years after seeking help, Mike describes himself as "a work in progress." He still has difficult days, but they're fewer and farther between. He's back to coaching baseball and recently started volunteering with a veteran support group.
"The biggest thing I tell other vets is that getting help isn't a weakness," Mike says firmly. "In the military, we're trained to be tough, to push through pain. But this kind of pain doesn't just go away. Getting help takes courage."
How We Can Help Veterans
There are several ways we can support veterans' mental health:
Encourage Connection
Social support from family, friends, and veteran organizations helps protect against suicide and mental health problems. Simply staying in touch and showing you care makes a difference.
"My wife never gave up on me, even when I pushed her away," Mike says. "And my buddy Tom, who served with me, 'd just show up sometimes and drag me out to go fishing. That helped more than he knows."
Help Access Care
Many veterans are unaware of all the resources available to them. You can help veterans navigate both VA and non-VA options. Many services are free and don't require VA enrollment.
Reduce Stigma
Open conversations about mental health help veterans feel comfortable seeking help. Remember that getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
"I was worried my kids would think less of me if they knew I was struggling," Mike admits. "But my daughter told me she was proud of me for getting help. That meant everything."
Volunteer or Donate
Donate your time or resources to support organizations that serve veterans. For example, the Wounded Warrior Project provides free mental health programs.
Know the Warning Signs
Be alert to signs of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or suicidal thoughts, and encourage professional help when needed. Warning signs may include mood swings, increased alcohol use, risky behaviors, or talking about having no reason to live.
Conclusion
Veterans' mental wellness is a critical issue, with high rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicide. A strong support network—from professional treatment to community and peer resources—is available to help veterans and their families build resilience, recover, and thrive in civilian life.
By understanding the unique challenges veterans face and knowing what resources are available, we can all contribute to supporting those who served our country.
As for Mike, he takes it one day at a time. "Some days are still hard," he acknowledges. "But now I have tools to deal with it. And I know I'm not alone in this fight."
