Engaging in combat, and experiencing life and death situations on a daily basis can get overwhelming and devastating for anyone who has deployed to a combat environment. Most veterans who engaged or experienced combat, may have a hard time seeking emotional and psychological help, because they may ridiculed for it. Gibbs et al. (2011) stated that many veterans view mental health problems as being weak in the military, because seeking help or admitting weakness is highly looked down upon by leadership, and some may fear discrimination. As a result, many combat veterans turn to substance abuse as a form of coping. Approximately 18.5% of service members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. Approximately 50% of returning service members who need treatment for mental health conditions seek it (SAMSHA,
Engaging in combat, and experiencing life and death situations on a daily basis can get overwhelming and devastating for anyone who has deployed to a combat environment. Most veterans who engaged or experienced combat, may have a hard time seeking emotional and psychological help, because they may ridiculed for it. Gibbs et al. (2011) stated that many veterans view mental health problems as being weak in the military, because seeking help or admitting weakness is highly looked down upon by leadership, and some may fear discrimination. As a result, many combat veterans turn to substance abuse as a form of coping. Approximately 18.5% of service members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. Approximately 50% of returning service members who need treatment for mental health conditions seek it (SAMSHA,