Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) calls on the Department of Defense (DoD)
and the Administration to publicly address the disturbing and highly
inappropriate comments made by Major General Dana Pittard that suicide
is “an absolutely selfish act” further adding that those soldiers
thinking about suicide should “be an adult, act like an adult, and deal
with your real-life problems like the rest of us." These comments
further compound the already glaring stigma our service members face
when dealing with mental health issues. This is exactly the type of
attitude that keeps many of our wounded warriors from seeking the help
they need and deserve.
Though the statement was later retracted, the silence from the DoD and
the Administration speak volumes and discount the great courage it takes
for a service member to come forward and admit they are dealing with
combat stress or PTSD. We urge the DoD and the Administration to respond
with actions.
In
fact, our experience has shown us that wounded service men and woman can
be even further damaged by sentiments like these expressed from within
the DoD system. These brave warriors served our country honorably and
many have returned home different people. The invisible wounds of war –
traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD – have surpassed the visible as
the signature injury in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. WWP has made
this a focal point in its mission to honor and empower wounded warriors,
and we challenge the DoD and the Administration to immediately reinforce
proper attitudes and education on these critical issues. The increase in
awareness of this issue will hopefully decrease the stigma attached –
stigmas that were only built up by General Pittard’s irresponsible
words.
The mental health of this generation of injured veterans is Wounded
Warrior Project’s number one priority. Wounded Warrior Project will
continue to address those needs through our Combat Stress Recovery
Program and pursue the necessary steps to encourage a shift in how we
think and deal with mental health.
