This Memorial Day, remember the fallen, help heal the broken | Opinion

"This Memorial Day, spare a moment to think about those we’ve lost, and those that made it home, but never left the battlefield," writes veteran and FIU doctoral student Kevin Ortiz Diaz.

On Memorial Day, we have a chance to take a pause from our daily lives and remember those who gave their lives to defend our freedom.

This Memorial Day in particular marks the first election year since the end of the most recent and longest war in our history. This serves as a poignant reminder of those who were lost during the post-9/11 conflicts. Watson University’s Cost of War Project documents the price that these conflicts have extracted from our nation; nearly 7,000 men and women gave their lives overseas from 2001 to 2021. While these figures are a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by our service members every day, they do not capture the full extent of the costs borne by that segment of the population.

The Department of Veteran Affairs also monitors and annually publishes veteran mortality rates, and their statistics reveal that during the same 20 years, approximately 100,000 veterans were lost to suicide, representing nearly 6,000 veteran suicides each year. The reasons for this high rate of suicide are complex and varied, but among the most likely candidates are the many other chronic issues that affect the veteran community, such as homelessness and PTSD.

Last year, reports show that veteran homelessness increased by 7.4%, with over 35,000 veterans reporting homelessness last year. Similarly, estimates show that 29% of veterans who served in the post-9/11 conflicts experience PTSD at some point in their lives. There is also the issue of sexual trauma, which affects thousands of service members each year. Reports from the Department of Defense show that between 20,000 to 30,000 service members are victims of sexual assault each year, and that numbers are on an upward rise.

All of these factors can be attributed to higher risk for depression and suicide among veterans. To their credit, the VA has implemented measures to address this mental health crisis, including programs to mitigate risk factors such as homelessness and working to provide support for veterans and their families. Nevertheless, the rate of veteran suicide has remained stable (or even slowly rising) over the years.

This Memorial Day, let us remember those who gave their lives, but let us also go beyond that. Our service men and women have sacrificed so much for us, and we must repay the debt that we owe them. There are several ways in which we can do so. First, we need to insist our leaders make a priority of veteran mental health. Vote for candidates who will support our veterans and the VA, and if your candidate doesn’t mention this, then write to them, let them know this matters to you as a voter and as an American. In such a divided political climate, where everything seems to become a flashpoint for a culture war, taking care of our veterans should be something on which we all can agree.

Second, be there for them. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 15 million veterans in the U.S., which means that it is very likely for many of us to know one in our lives — a parent, grandparent, sibling, friend or coworker — and we may not be attuned to their invisible scars or aware of what might benefit their healing. Be supportive, be available, be kind. Coping with mental health issues can be difficult, but even more so when you feel alone. The VA health care website has many publicly available resources to help provide support.

I can attest to the difficulties I faced after service, and how crucial my family’s support was, particularly during my lowest moments. This Memorial Day, spare a moment to think about those we’ve lost, and those that made it home, but never left the battlefield.

Kevin Ortiz Diaz is a doctoral student in applied social and cultural psychology at Florida International University. He lives in West Kendall.