Taliban resurgence may cause additional PTSD cases for war vets

There is growing worry that many Afghanistan war veterans will develop PTSD because of the Taliban’s resurgence.

A study conducted in 2008 found 20% of all the people who served in Afghanistan eventually developed PTSD.

If that weren’t enough, now comes the devastating news that the country is back in the hands of the Taliban.

“We’re talking about the people taking over the country who almost blew me up, almost blew my friend up,” said retired Marine James Waldron.

More than a decade has passed since Waldron last set foot in Afghanistan

For him and so many of his comrades, the sights and sounds of human suffering are more than enough to bring him back to the battlefield.

“I can have a conversation with you about this all day long, but I don’t know if I’ll be ever to get out what I’m actually feeling,” he told KIRO 7.

It truly runs deep.

After all, Waldron was based in Afghanistan as part of the F-18 program and also served as a pallbearer for his fellow fallen soldiers.

To this day, he keeps a list that displays the names of the troops he helped to transport home, one last time.

“I’ve had to reach out to some of my old friends from my Marine Corps days and ask how they’re doing, how are you feeling about (the Taliban takeover).’”

It’s vital communication that could help save a life.

As it is, a fifth of all Afghan military vets already suffer from PTSD, and that was before the Taliban was even back in control.

“These are the people that even though we weren’t out in the field shooting back and forth, they’re stopping at nothing to try to kill us,” Waldron noted.

More than any other time since the war began, vets like Waldron cannot stress it enough.

If you know a vet, now is the time to call them and to simply talk.

“Just check on them because it shouldn’t be happening like this.  It just shouldn’t.”

If you’re a veteran going through a tough time, or you know someone who is, the Veterans Crisis Line is available around-the-clock at 1-800-273-8255 (veterans should select option 1 for a VA staffer.) Veterans, troops or their family members can also text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for assistance.

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