Breaking the Silence: Supporting Intimate Relationships for Our Wounded Troops and Their Partners: A Call to Action

ABSTRACT

Wounded troops in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are surviving their injuries at greater rates now than in all previous major American wars, and our returning troops face physical, mental, and sexual health challenges when trying to build and re-establish intimate relationships. We are seeing relationship difficulties like intimate partner violence, child abuse, divorce, partners taking on care giving roles, higher incidence of risky sexual behaviors among single veterans, and special challenges faced by women and gay and lesbian soldiers. Healthy intimate relationships can contribute to a person's recovery from physical and mental trauma, while a lack of them can contribute to ongoing mental health problems and even suicide. Fortunately, we now see greater availability and acceptance of mental health services and resources for supporting intimate relationships in the military.

KEYWORDS:

• Gay and lesbian health
• mental disability
• physical disability
• sexual health promotion