Veterans Awareness - Signs .15

Of the 1.7 million veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan, nearly one third are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression or Traumatic Brain Injury. Research shows that many veterans avoid seeking help because of the stigma associated with treatment or fear of being diagnosed with a mental illness. Untreated mental health conditions can lead to other debilitating problems in the veterans’ community including high rates of unemployment, suicide, homelessness, substance abuse, divorce, and child abuse.

Those who do seek help often cite their family as the catalyst for support. Yet, many families today do not know how to broach the subject constructively and struggle with ways to approach a friend or family member who has recently returned home.

To empower the family and friends of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to start the conversation and help veterans transition to civilian life, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) joined the Ad Council to launch a series of national public service advertisements (PSAs). The PSAs direct family and friends to www.SupportYourVet.org, where they can interact with one another in an online forum, and access conversation tips, critical mental health resources and information on navigating the VA.

Launched on Veterans Day 2008, an initial series of ads reaches out to veterans directly and encourages them to visit www.CommunityOfVeterans.org, a private social network where Iraq and Afghanistan veterans can access critical resources and share their experiences in a safe forum.