Elliott Broidy’s Backs Organizations That Support Veterans With PTSD

May 5, 2015 - PRLog -- -  The much-anticipated memoir of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle’s wife, Taya Kyle, is out this week and many are hoping this will help the nation refocus on the huge epidemic of veterans battling posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD.)

The following statistics are from a major study done by the RAND Corporation, a study by the Congressional Research Service, the Veterans Administration, the Institute of Medicine, the US Surgeon General and several published studies.

As of September 2014, there are about 2.7 million American veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

According to RAND, at least 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have PTSD and/or Depression. (Military counselors have stated that, in their opinion, the percentage of veterans with PTSD is much higher.)

A comprehensive analysis, published in 2014, found that for PTSD: “Among male and female soldiers aged 18 years or older returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, rates range from 9% shortly after returning from deployment to 31% a year after deployment. A review of 29 studies that evaluated rates of PTSD in those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan found prevalence rates of adult men and women previously deployed ranging from 5% to 20% for those who do not seek treatment, and around 50% for those who do seek treatment. Vietnam veterans also report high lifetime rates of PTSD ranging from 10% to 31%. PTSD is the third most prevalent psychiatric diagnosis among veterans using the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals.

50% of those with PTSD do not seek treatment.

Out of the half that seeks treatment, only half of them get "minimally adequate" treatment.

7% of veterans have both post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

From a military family, Elliott Broidy has been dedicated to concerns of the military at a very young age.  His continuous commitments to the men and women in the United States Military are visible through charitable partnerships with organizations including Wounded Warrior Project and Hounds for Heroes.

Elliott Broidy was appointed by Secretary Michael Chertoff to serve on the United States Homeland Security Advisory Council and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Police Foundation. Elliott Broidy was also appointed by the President to serve on the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.