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| Veteran Unemployment Rate For 18 To 24-Year-Olds Was Higher Than 20 Percent Last Year |
http://livingwithptsd-sparkles.blogspot.com/2012/04/stigma-of-ptsd-for-combat-veterans.html
A re-post by Steve Sparks from April 2012…
“Whether a soldier comes home with or without PTSD, it appears that employers are hesitant or nervous about the perceived risks of hiring someone with military experience. This was true long ago and experienced by me directly in 1965 when interviewing for my first job following service in the US Navy. I didn’t get hired the first time because my DD214 noted a mental health condition at the time. At least now the DD214 medical notes are not included, but the stigma exists anyway. How can we expect our veterans to reach out for treatment of a PTSD condition if employers consider the issue as a risk in the hiring criteria? I kept my diagnosis a secret until age 64 when it was safe to do so while researching and writing my book, Reconciliation: A Son’s Story. Even with my diagnosis from the US Navy, and little or no treatment remedies at the time, I managed to carve out an excellent career in information technology industry and complete my college education along the way. The stigma of mental health issues, especially in the case of veterans who served in combat, is a national tragedy and must be addressed by Congress! Veterans receive outstanding vocational training in the armed forces of the US, and typically demonstrate excellent leadership qualities as well. Employers should be willing to put aside this apparent bias and hire the best candidate who could well be a young combat veteran with huge potential to make a difference in the corporate world. I would hire these young go getters instantly!”
Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story
