HEALTHY MEN: Veteran health issues
Colorado Springs, COLO. (KRDO) -- As we honor Veterans Day, it's important to recognize the tremendous sacrifice veterans make emotionally and physically.
Many enter the service in peak health and fitness, however after leaving they can face a variety of health issues including PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and other mental and physical challenges.
"I see a lot of veterans and a lot from WW II, Gulf War, Vietnam and the Cold War," says Dr. Christopher McNulty, Optum. "And they each have special challenges and what I've found to be the most reassuring to them is to listen to them because they all have awesome stories to tell."
Dr. McNulty is a veteran himself. And he can relate with his Optum patients on a deeper level after his own service, and understand the emotional and physical challenges that run deep for many vets which isn't always the easiest to talk about.
"What happened to them in the military can carry on with them sometimes indefinitely," says Dr. McNulty.
Dr. McNulty says physical combat injuries can often be simpler to treat than the mental injuries thousands of military members come home with.
"We never had sensitivity in the way we do right now with mental health issues that's paramount not just for veterans but also active duty and reservists who are also very susceptible to mental health problems," says Dr. McNulty.
Resources:
Immediate help, call 9-1-1. Colorado Crisis Services, 1-844-493-8255 OR Text “TALK” to 38255
The Home Front Military Care Network
719-577-7417
Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center
719-772-7000
PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Outpatient Clinic
719-327-5660
Pikes Peak Veterans Housing Fund
719-323-2600
UCCS Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic
719-255-8003
