Austin Medical Center is now offering a Military Veteran’s Support Group for those who have served either in active or non-active duty at any time.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been the longest combact operations since Vietnam. The stressors soldiers face, the possible risks and even problems at home or work due to unexpected lengths of deployment can have negative effects on mental health.

The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder says, “The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq will produce a new generation of veterans at risk for the chronic mental health problems that result, in part, from exposure to the stress, adversity, and trauma of war-zone experiences.”

According to a 2006 NCPSD study, 19 percent of service members from Iraq had a mental health problem; about 11 percent of those from Afghanistan had a mental health problem.

With new veterans returning from war, AMC’s support group, as well as Family Readiness Groups and local military organizations, can help military families and veterans.