Struggles of a Warrior Nation by Nicole Tung

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Submitted on: 10 Mar 09

Category: General

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Description of Essay as provided by photographer:

Native Americans Veterans’ Forgotten Battle with PTSD

Whether they went to war in Japan in the 40s, Vietnam in the 60s, or Iraq in the 2000s, all Navajo Nation veterans come home facing the same challenge: dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but without adequate help from the Veterans Affairs. Nearly 22,000 Native Americans have served, or are currently serving in the armed forces in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. An estimated 30 percent return and suffer from PTSD. The conditions many face on coming home, however, are hardly those needed to help them through the psychological and physical damages inflicted in war. No Veterans Affairs hospital exists on the Navajo Nation, the country’s largest reservation. This forces veterans, often desperate for psychological help, to drive hours away, to cities like Albuquerque or Salt Lake City. But some face racial discrimination or an unsympathetic psychologist there. Often dealing with anxiety disorders, nightmares, or suicidal thoughts, some try traditional healing methods, but many resort to alcohol or drug abuse, as they try to keep their lives together on a land that is as harsh as it is beautiful.

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  • Kylie Batt1

    June 12, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    все прям профи такие....... Инженер КИПиА Nearly 22,000 Native Americans have [.......

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