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| Multiple generations of Veterans and Families doing some working therapy with Habitat for Humanity's Veterans Build |
He then told his story (to a suitably rapt audience) of crossing Iwo Jima and losing those close to him in the violence. A young Marine Veteran in attendance stood and shook his hand when he finished, saying it was an honor to be at the table with him. His memory had been triggered by a story of a completely different time and place: a death in Central Iraq still haunting another Veteran. A Vietnam-era medic then chimed in with his own story of managing survivor's guilt, further prompting the Post-9/11 Veteran to see a broader picture of a tragically common occurrence in war.
From the outside, it might look like a small family sharing war stories. In reality, all three were providing and receiving positive mental therapy.
In this short-term, PTSD treatment group, the Veterans of earlier combat generations voluntarily assist Post-9/11 Veterans in weekly sessions. The mental health benefits from these groups span the generations. Veterans Administration (VA) research confirms:
From the perspective of work with Vietnam Veterans whose lives have been greatly disrupted by their disorder, the chance to work with combat Veterans soon after their war experiences represents a real opportunity to prevent the development of a disastrous life course ... [Inter-generational, VA treatment groups] also have the opportunity to intervene directly in key areas of life functioning, to reduce the harm associated with continuing post-traumatic stress symptoms and depression if those prove resistant to treatment.Meanwhile, the multi-generational group option tends to generate interest from those normally averse to group offerings, since it holds less stigma than traditional group therapy. Those who participate regularly tend to keep attending, if not for their own benefit than out of respect for the previous generations of Veterans attending. This is significant: consistency of attendance for those referred to group from their provider is reported to be hit and miss at best, negatively impacting treatment. In fact, in a study about Veterans attending a single-generation PTSD group, 20% of the group participants did not show up that day to take the survey.
Why might mixed-generation groups be different? One reason is likely a higher level of comfort. In the same survey, 20% of those who responded "Other" when asked why it might be hard to attend group wrote in, "Angry Veterans make me feel unsafe." Overall, aside from physical limitations (distance, length, and frequency of meetings), responses about stigma and unease were the most common deterrent. Mixed-generation groups lack these perceived threats, which may lead to their increased consistency of attendance once the group is given time to hear each others' stories.
The stories are important, too, with the era differences helping to reduce the feeling of "competing war stories" and highlighting similarities in managing symptoms of PTSD. The 93 year old, shot by a sniper mere moments before reaching the far beach after days of trudging across Iwo Jima, still has some anger but directs it at those he sees not working to reach their full potential. The Korea Veteran talks about finding peace in a foxhole while trying to understand the different type of combat that came after him. One of the Vietnam Veterans gives plenty of tips on what not to do in managing PTSD, lessons he learned the hard way and prompted him to join the group in an effort to save future generations from making his mistakes.
Everyone present, ages 25-93, learns something from the others every session. It isn't just "There I was" stories, it's purposeful conversation about the similarities of combat even across generations. Post-9/11 Veterans report a greater understanding of PTSD, comfort and kinship, and a sense of hope brought on by those who have dealt with symptoms for decades that everyone can survive and move forward. It is humanizing, and those attending these programs report it normalizes PTSD to open up the individual to acceptance and treatment.
Unfortunately, these groups appear to be few and far between. One therapist, associated with a Post-9/11 mental health non-profit, observed this lack of multi-generational group options is not limited to VA options but throughout the Veteran community. "You see mixed ages everywhere in the civilian sector for various types of behavioral and other forms of therapy in part because it's been shown to attract and retain more clients," the therapist commented, "but for some reason you seldom find it with Veterans' groups."
But while they are not common, they can - or should be able to - be requested. But because these groups are not prevalent, getting into one may take you taking greater control of your treatment. If you think a mixed-generation or Veteran mentor therapy group would be a positive experience, bring the cited studies to your therapist and ask to help you find one, or if the local VA intends to create one based on their own research. (And of course, don't forget to leave an anonymous review on Pathfinder.vet for the VA or other resource to help others find it).
The options are out there, and if you don't see one you want don't be afraid to make it happen with the help of those charged with making you better. So ask to sit with your heroes, talk with them, and learn from them, understanding you are helping them just as they are helping you.
We heal best when we work together, no matter the service era.