Australia’s War Veterans: When the battle comes home | 101 East

In their home country, Australian soldiers are fondly known as “diggers”. Their tales of bravery are etched in the national psyche. This fervor reaches its peak on ANZAC Day, where veterans from various wars march in cities and towns across the country. It is considered Australia’s most important national occasion and is held annually to mark the first time its troops fought in World War One.

But for many returned veterans, a battle within lingers on. One in five Australian soldiers are expected to face mental health problems like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when they come home. PTSD is a debilitating mental condition characterised by recollections of a traumatic event that may include repetitive nightmares or distress. Since 2001, the rates of PTSD amongst Australian soldiers have quadrupled.

Now, young combat troops are returning from Afghanistan – this country’s longest war. Forty Australian men were killed in action there in the last 13 years, but soldier suicides at home have outnumbered those casualties.

For many young veterans, the horrors of deployment have led to broken relationships and substance abuse. It’s been described as a “large wave of sadness coming our way” by John Cantwell, a recently retired army major general, who questions whether the Defence Force is ready for the challenges of PTSD.

As more Australian soldiers return from the battlefield, 101 East reporter Drew Ambrose explores their war within.

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