The Wounded Warrior Project’s Annual Warrior Survey has found that there is a continued need for toxic exposure advocacy.
Nearly 98% of the survey’s respondents reported exposure to hazardous or toxic substances during military service, and more than 7 in 10 said they were exposed to burn pits.
Those findings are the result of the 12th Annual Warrior Survey, which was conducted during the summer of 2021. More than 18,000 wounded warriors registered with WWP participated in the survey.
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"The greatest casualty is being forgotten – and the Annual Warrior Survey reminds us to never forget the service and sacrifice of our veterans," WWP CEO retired Army Lt. Gen. Mike Linnington said. "We must act on the survey's findings to support their needs."
Supported by survey findings, WWP testified before Congress three times in 2021 to address the effects of toxic exposure in the military.
The survey found that nearly 1 in 4 post-9/11 wounded veterans registered with WWP had suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months. Of those who reported having suicidal thoughts, 70% had them in the last two weeks.
“Mental health issues are an ongoing concern for post-9/11 injured warriors,” said WWP Vice President of Program Operations Dr. Melanie Mousseau.
Additionally, the survey concluded mental health issues are more than twice as common as physical ones among WWP participants.
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"Shining a light on veterans’ mental health is a mirrored priority between CSX and WWP, and data from this survey guides that effort," said Bryan Tucker, CSX vice president of corporate communications. "We encourage other companies to leverage this research and collaborate with their communities to support veterans across the nation.
The research was made possible through CSX, the first-ever sponsor of the Annual Warrior Survey.
The survey also found about 1 in 5 WWP respondents have experienced difficulty or delays in receiving or continuing professional mental health care. Of those, 2 in 3 say they are embarrassed or ashamed about receiving such care, and nearly 59% don't know where to find it.
The research helps shape WWP's programs and services for wounded warriors, as well as offers valuable insights for public officials, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other veterans service organizations, said WWP Chief Program Officer Jennifer Silwa.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.