History, Advocacy, and Support for Veterans this PTSD Awareness Month
- Chipco Preserve
- Jun 8
- 5 min read
Maeve Kiley
National PTSD Awareness Month
In 2014, the United States Government recognized June as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD pushed for a month-long designation to raise awareness about PTSD, reduce stigma, and promote the importance of treatment.
Although the conversation surrounding mental health is more open, stigma still exists. Many frame mental health struggles as “personal faults” or disregard the need for treatment. Education and awareness are excellent tools for reframing the conversation surrounding mental health, particularly around PTSD.
Every June, PTSD Awareness Month calls attention to the silent battles fought by millions. Veterans experience PTSD more than any other demographic, with an estimated 7 out of every 100 veterans experiencing PTSD during their lifetime. It is important to recognize these struggles and dismantle the barriers to recovery.
History of Mental Health in the United States Military
PTSD has always existed, but it was not given a name. Reports as far back as Ancient Greece detail how soldiers and gladiators experience headaches, paranoia, anxiety, and discomfort after returning to civilian life.
The first name given to these symptoms was “Soldier’s Heart.” The Civil War (1861-1865) was an intense and violent war with more casualties than any other American conflict. While treating Philadelphia troops returning from the battlefield in 1862, Dr. Jacob M. Da Costa recorded common physical and psychological symptoms. He noted rapid heartbeat, tremors, dizziness, fainting, insomnia, severe anxiety, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. Da Costa theorized this was a cardiac condition caused by the stress of battle and labeled it “Soldier’s Heart” (occasionally called “Da Costa Syndrome” in other documents) Da Costa’s treatment for this condition included bed rest, exercise, diet changes, removal of stressors, and morphine.
Theories and observations regarding “Soldier’s Heart” continued into the 20th century, with some physicians theorizing that it resulted from a poor military diet, while others believed it was due to strain from overexertion. Although “Soldier’s Heart” was discussed in medical communities, it was not widely known in the general public. It was not until World War I (1914-1918) that severe combat stress began to become more widely known.
The term “Shell shock” was coined by British medical officer Charles Myers, who believed it was caused by physical brain damage from artillery fire. Soldiers returning from combat displayed similar symptoms to “Soldier’s Heart,” such as anxiety, trouble breathing, insomnia, involuntary tremors (called “trench shakes”), nightmares, and dizziness. When the United States entered the war in 1917, it prepared for “Shell shock” by establishing mobile psychiatric units near military bases and combat zones.
Unfortunately, many soldiers experiencing “Shell shock” were discriminated against and even mocked. Some viewed it as a way to get out of the service, while others falsely believed it showed a weakness of character. After the war, many soldiers struggled to return to civilian life.
Some fought against discrimination and disinformation. Ernest Hemingway frequently discussed “shell shock” in his many novels, most famously in his 1926 novel, The Sun Also Rises, and his 1929 book, A Farewell to Arms. Although Hemingway, a Veteran himself, did not completely understand PTSD, he identified its existence and the necessity of conversation around helping Veterans. Rebecca West’s 1918 love story, The Return of the Soldier, explores war trauma and its effects on the families of returning soldiers. Many other books, novels, poems, and articles from this period discuss PTSD, drawing on the limited resources available to them.
World War II (1929-1945) was long and grueling, with the stress of battle weighing heavily on soldiers. The term “Battle Fatigue” replaced “Shell Shock” as doctors, physicians, and psychologists studied its effects and developed treatments. Due to a manpower shortage, the military's goal was to get soldiers back on the front lines as quickly as possible, so many soldiers displaying symptoms were not properly treated or were outright ignored.
The diagnosis “Battle Fatigue” was not universally recognized. Many commanders and generals did not accept it as a valid reason for soldiers to leave the front lines. Famous military leaders such as Lieutenant General George S. Patton and General Omar S. Bradley publicly denounced the existence of “Battle Fatigue” and refused to accept that non-physical injuries could harm soldiers.
These trends continued into the Korean War (1950-1953), with many soldiers displaying symptoms of PTSD being ignored or ridiculed by leadership. It was not until after the Vietnam War (1955-1975) that progress began. Vietnam veterans were treated poorly by military leaders, the government, and civilians. Vietnam veterans started grassroots lobbying and advocacy to spark change, such as movement leaders and veterans Bobby Muller, Jan Scruggs, and Jack Smith, who spearheaded the efforts to convince the American Psychiatric Association to officially recognize PTSD in 1980. In 1983, Congress mandated the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS). This large-scale reevaluation paved the way for veterans to receive monthly payments and compensation, alongside recognizing PTSD as a disability, thus allowing disability benefits.
Due to the bravery and tireless advocacy of Vietnam veterans, more research went into PTSD and appropriate treatment. The public understanding of PTSD shifted with more people recognizing that this was not a “failure of character,” but rather a psychiatric condition that requires treatment and compassion. During the two decades of war in the Middle East, policies and social understanding shifted with mental health care professionals prioritizing early intervention, therapy, and support.
Ongoing Advocacy, Support, & Resources
Even though positive changes have occurred, there is still work to be done. Many veterans face practical barriers such as financial strains and stigma when trying to receive life-saving treatment. Those experiencing PTSD have an increased likelihood of experiencing substance abuse, isolation, housing insecurity, and employment barriers. Stigma still exists with many who do not understand the importance of treatment and compassion.
Organizations like the Disabled American Veterans, The Wounded Warrior Project, and The Headstrong Project assist and advocate for veterans in overcoming barriers and stigmas. The National Center for PTSD offers online toolkits and fact sheets on its website. Veterans Crisis Line offers 24/7confidential emergency support by calling 988 or chatting online on their website (linked below).
Even though June is recognized as the National Month for PTSD Awareness, advocacy should not be limited to just the summer. It is important to acknowledge the existence of PTSD, advocate for legislative and societal recognition, promote better resources and care, and support those affected.
Important Resources:
VETERAN CRISIS LINE: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
NATIONAL CENTER FOR PTSD: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/
Works Cited:
Bremner, J. D., Wittbrodt, M. T., Shah, A. J., Pearce, B. D., Gurel, N. Z., Inan, O. T., Raggi, P., Lewis, T. T., Quyyumi, A. A., & Vaccarino, V. (2020, March). Confederates in the Attic: Posttraumatic stress disorder, cardiovascular disease, and the return of soldier’s heart. The Journal of nervous and mental disease. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8214871/
Four decades later: Vietnam veterans and PTSD. Four Decades Later: Vietnam Veterans and PTSD | Vietnam Veterans of America. (n.d.). https://vva.org/programs/ptsd/four-decades-later-vietnam-veteransand-ptsd/
The National Archives. (2020, September 9). “shell shock” cases.
Malloryk. (2020, June 26). WWII post-traumatic stress. The National WWII Museum | New Orleans. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/wwii-post-traumatic-stress
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