OPERATION: RECOVERY 
D E P R E S S I O N

There are numerous possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems.

Depression, clinically speaking by the Harvard Medical School definition is depression results from a chemical imbalance. Research indicates that as many as 50 percent of Veterans experience significant difficulty acclimating with a third developing mental health problems including depression.

But experts contend this definition of depression doesn’t capture how complex the disease is. More research suggests that depression doesn’t originate from having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are numerous possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems. It’s believed that several of these forces interact to bring on depression. For more information, click HERE.

The U.S. Army said depression includes stress, bereavement, pain, sleep apnea, anemia, thyroid disorders, medication side effects, and genetic factors and since there are so many causes and contributing factors, it is important to discuss changes in mood, energy, or motivation with a medical professional, the Army said.

Anxiety is closely related to depression and people with depression may experience increases in their anxiety levels. Males also tend to display irritability as a presenting symptom of depression.

Vet Organizes ‘Ruck’ March through 3 Towns to Raise Depression, Suicide Awareness

Those who may have been out on some town roads last Sunday, may have seen a small group of people walking while carrying a pack on their back. The group walked a total of 22 miles — through Kent, New Milford and Brookfield, to bring awareness to the reported 22...

Say Yes to ‘Veterans Know’ Campaign to Combat Mental Health Issues

Many military men and women who served our country carry with their invisible wounds. Those wounds are mental health issues connected to time served on the battlefront that surface on the homefront. The mental health toll that’s taken by deployment can...

Veterans Know Campaign Lets Veterans Help Other Vets

Mental health challenges for veterans can look different for each individual, and treatment can, too. The Veterans Know campaign aims to let vets know help is available and how to get it. It helps veterans connect with others with shared experiences. “There’s...

Retired Army Captain Runs 44 miles in Effort to Raise Awareness for Veterans’ Mental Health

If you were out in Pasadena last week, you may have seen a man out for a run carrying an American flag. Retired Army Capt. Kyle Butters didn't just run a mile -- he ran 44. "This flag has been everywhere from Afghanistan (to) Kuwait (to) Turkey," Butters said. More...

Mental Health Clinic for Veterans Coming to Oceanside

Cohen Veterans Network announced Monday it is poised to open two clinics in California this year — including one in Oceanside — to address the mental health needs of veterans. More than 33,000 post-9/11 veterans, nearly 40,000 active-duty service members and more than...

New Study Reports on How Veterans’ Health, Well-being Changes During First Three Years after Discharge

More than 200,000 individuals leave the U.S. military service every year and understanding their transition to civilian life is an important public health issue. This study is the first to examine how the health and broader well-being of the U.S. veteran population...

Helping Veterans in Rural Areas

Veterans who live in rural areas face unique problems accessing VA benefits. A study published by the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics carried out in 2021 approximates that 24% of the nation’s veterans live in rural communities. The majority of...

Research Could Help Veterans Transition to Civilian Life

A UTSA management professor and his students have partnered with a Marine Corps combat veteran to shed light on the need for new veterans programs in the post-9/11 world, especially those that create a strong sense of community for vets. Bruce Stanfill, an associate...

Louisville Organization Helps Veterans Facing Holiday Blues

As many of us prepare to celebrate Christmas, the holiday season often causes a different emotion for thousands of military veterans. From homelessness to depression, PTSD and other potentially life-threatening issues, Christmas can cause a downward spiral for so many...

VA Breaks Ground on Daytona Beach Clinic for Mental Health

As bulldozers and dump trucks rumbled behind her Tuesday, Dr. Nichole Robinson rattled off some of the ways a new Veterans Administration multi-specialty clinic in Daytona Beach will serve those who served their country. "We'll be adding cardiology, some...

Resources:

For general counseling and advice, and use the Military One Source at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/.

Get information about depression, treatment, and the support we offer.

Get self-help resources Go to our Make the Connection website to get resources and watch stories of Veterans who’ve overcome depression and other mental health challenges.

Visit Make the Connection Call the VA general information hotline at 800-827-1000

 

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