Counselling for Veterans Mental Health in British Columbia

Counselling for veterans is crucial and necessary for those who served or are serving our country, Canada. Straight Path Counselling is located in Abbotsford and is committed to serving our soldiers and veterans across British Columbia. Straight Path Counselling offers both in-person and virtual counselling sessions for veterans struggling with PTSD, reintegrating into civilian life, and overcoming mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and other psychological struggles. Restoring our veterans’ mental health and providing them with the necessary counselling and support is of the utmost importance, allowing them to reintegrate into civilian life with ease and manage any negative effects obtained from their army service. Veterans often return from military service with physical and emotional wounds. One aspect to consider is the stigma around counselling for veterans and the military since it may be considered “weak” or “vulnerable” for veterans and soldiers to struggle psychologically and emotionally, making counselling a difficult route to take for some. However, increased awareness of the silent struggle veterans and soldiers face daily allows society and counsellors to address the issues associated with combat and serving our country, giving veterans autonomy, safety, and a place to find help and comfort. The emotional wounds that soldiers and veterans obtain during their service and upon returning home can be debilitating, often leaving veterans feeling isolated and alone. Veterans experiencing loneliness and isolation may develop hopelessness and defeat, making suicide, self-harm, and homelessness rates extremely high. Veterans may deal with a variety of mental health struggles, including depression, anxiety, grief, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), making each day difficult to face and navigate through. These mental health struggles, compounded by the complexities of reintegration into civilian life, can leave veterans isolated, misunderstood, and without proper support. Taking care of those who served in our military by providing the necessary counselling for veterans and providing support and resources for their mental health is critical to helping veterans heal and thrive during and after their service.

Counselling for Veterans Dealing with Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD

Veterans often suffer from a range of mental health conditions, the most common of which are depression, anxiety, grief, and PTSD. These conditions are not only a result of their direct experiences in combat but also the emotional and psychological toll of leaving a community and a mission-driven lifestyle that may have been central to their identities for years.

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health challenges faced by veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), approximately one in five veterans experiences depression, often exacerbated by factors like physical injuries, chronic pain, or difficulty adjusting to civilian life. Symptoms of depression can include persistent sadness, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and difficulty engaging in daily activities. Veterans may also struggle with feelings of isolation or disconnection from family and friends who don’t understand their experiences.

Anxiety is another common condition affecting veterans. Symptoms can range from constant worry and fear to panic attacks. For some veterans, the anxiety is linked to the hyper-vigilance they developed while in combat, making it difficult to feel safe in ordinary, everyday situations. The transition from the heightened state of alertness in the military to civilian life can be jarring, leading to feelings of unease or irritability, especially in crowded or unfamiliar places.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is perhaps the most recognized and severe mental health condition among veterans. PTSD can result from direct exposure to traumatic events, such as combat, the loss of comrades, or the stress of deployment. Veterans with PTSD often experience flashbacks, nightmares, or intense emotional distress when exposed to reminders of the trauma. They may struggle to regulate their emotions, leading to difficulties in relationships and daily functioning. A study published in Psychological Services (2014) showed that only about half of veterans who experience mental health issues receive the care they need. The study identified several barriers to care, including a lack of knowledge about available resources, fear of stigma, and the difficulty of accessing care in rural or underserved areas.

Grief is another issue that many veterans face, particularly those who have lost close comrades or experienced the death of others in their unit. Grief, particularly when combined with PTSD or survivor’s guilt, can have a profound effect on mental health. Many veterans wrestle with feelings of guilt, wondering why they survived when others did not. This burden can feel insurmountable, leading to emotional withdrawal and difficulty seeking help.

The Need for More Counselling and Mental Health Resources

While many veterans experience mental health struggles, they are often hesitant to seek help due to the stigma surrounding mental health in the military. In a culture where strength, stoicism, and resilience are highly valued, admitting to struggles with depression, anxiety, or PTSD can feel like a sign of weakness. This stigma, combined with logistical challenges like a lack of accessible mental health services or long wait times for counselling, often results in veterans suffering in silence. Veterans are at a higher risk for substance abuse, homelessness, and suicide. The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, found that veterans are significantly more likely to suffer from mental health conditions than civilians. Among veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, nearly 30% reported experiencing PTSD symptoms, with many not receiving treatment. The study highlighted the critical need for targeted mental health services for this population, noting that barriers like stigma, lack of access to care, and long wait times contributed to untreated mental health conditions (Kessler et al., 2005).

The need for comprehensive mental health resources, both at the federal and local levels, is critical in addressing this ongoing crisis. There needs to be a stronger focus on providing easy access to mental health care, reducing wait times for services, and expanding counselling options that are tailored to the needs of veterans.

The Role of Counselling in Supporting Veterans

Counselling and therapy are essential tools for helping veterans overcome mental health challenges. For those experiencing PTSD, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and prolonged exposure therapy both show as effective in reducing symptoms. These therapies help veterans process their trauma, learn coping mechanisms, and develop healthier thought patterns that can alleviate the emotional toll of their experiences.

For veterans struggling with depression and anxiety, therapeutic approaches such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can help reduce feelings of hopelessness and anxiety by fostering greater emotional awareness and resilience. Group therapy sessions, especially those that focus on veterans’ specific needs, can also offer veterans a safe space to share their experiences with others who understand their struggles. This communal aspect of therapy can be particularly beneficial in breaking the isolation that often accompanies mental health challenges.

Moving Forward: Supporting Veterans in British Columbia

In conclusion, the mental health struggles faced by veterans are real, difficult, and often hidden. Depression, anxiety, grief, and PTSD are common among veterans, yet they are frequently underdiagnosed or untreated due to stigma, lack of resources, and logistical barriers. Expanding access to mental health resources, reducing stigma, and providing more specialized counselling services are essential steps in helping veterans heal from the invisible wounds of war.

By increasing funding for mental health programs, streamlining access to care, and creating a more supportive environment for veterans to seek help, we can begin to address the mental health crisis affecting those who have served our country. Veterans deserve a system of care that not only treats their physical wounds but also heals their emotional and psychological scars. We owe it to them to ensure they never need to suffer in silence.

Counselling for veterans is offered at Straight Path Counselling in Abbotsford, British Columbia, helping veterans mental health.

Erica Fussi, M.A, B.A, RCC

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