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ARE YOU A WOUNDED SPIRIT?
The factors that lead to a mental health issue are complicated and occur on many psychological, physical, social, cultural and spiritual levels. Treating mental illness is a serious business best left to properly accredited health professionals and we urge any veteran who has the slightest concern in this areas to seek help from their doctor or medical provider.
The idea that a veteran maybe suffering a spiritual wound as a result of their Defence service is hardly new. Throughout recorded history Soldiers, Sailors or Airmen/women who have served in war or conflict how found themselves questioning their faith or spiritual beliefs based on events they have seen or participated in. In most cases it causes them to ask the following sorts of questions:
Why did God do this to me?
Was the event an act of God's will?
Why does God hurt the innocent?
Why doesn't God answer my prayers or, at least, send me a sign?
Will God forgive me for what I have done?
Of course there may be many other questions but like the young soldier’s story on the front page, a veteran’s faith becomes clouded with questions of doubt, shame and guilt. It’s when these questions are left unanswered or are unsatisfactorily answered that some veterans may develop deeper issues, most often in concert with other mental health factors.