The Church, as a Mental Health Resilience Factor for Veterans
Jordan Herrmann, M. Div. (in progress), student, Duke University
Rev. Sarah Swandell, Pinehurst United Methodist Church
Each year, over 43 million U.S. adults are estimated to have a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that meets DSM-IV criteria.[1] Suicide rates in the U.S. have increased in the past decade and a half. In recent years, suicide rates among veterans have surpassed those of the general population.[2] These statistics indicate significant human suffering. Do religious institutions have a role to play in addressing such suffering?
A former U.S. Army Special Forces officer with service in Iraq, Yemen, Libya, and elsewhere who was medically retired after 14 years of service with major depressive disorder presents a narrative of his experiences with the church as a resilience factor that helped him build a life after military service. Particular emphasis is given to the church as a source of community and a source of continued service opportunities. A United Methodist pastor who has a large active duty and veteran population in her congregation serves as a co-presenter.
[1] Bose, Jonaki and Sarra L. Hedden, Rachel N. Lipari, Eunice Park-Lee, Jeremy D. Porter, & Michael R. Pemberton. Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. SAMHSA, September, 2016.
[2] Suicide Among Veterans and Other Americans: 2001–2014. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of Suicide Prevention, 3 August 2016.
Rev. Sarah Swandell, Pinehurst United Methodist Church
Each year, over 43 million U.S. adults are estimated to have a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that meets DSM-IV criteria.[1] Suicide rates in the U.S. have increased in the past decade and a half. In recent years, suicide rates among veterans have surpassed those of the general population.[2] These statistics indicate significant human suffering. Do religious institutions have a role to play in addressing such suffering?
A former U.S. Army Special Forces officer with service in Iraq, Yemen, Libya, and elsewhere who was medically retired after 14 years of service with major depressive disorder presents a narrative of his experiences with the church as a resilience factor that helped him build a life after military service. Particular emphasis is given to the church as a source of community and a source of continued service opportunities. A United Methodist pastor who has a large active duty and veteran population in her congregation serves as a co-presenter.
[1] Bose, Jonaki and Sarra L. Hedden, Rachel N. Lipari, Eunice Park-Lee, Jeremy D. Porter, & Michael R. Pemberton. Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. SAMHSA, September, 2016.
[2] Suicide Among Veterans and Other Americans: 2001–2014. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of Suicide Prevention, 3 August 2016.