Deploying is an essential part of many Air Force operations, but it doesn’t mean that our Airmen don’t struggle with it or with their mental health once they return home. Left untreated, these conditions can have a significant impact on a person’s life. It’s critical for Airmen to get the help they need once they get home, so it’s easier to adjust to their old routine and overcome the mental health challenges that come their way. Below, we’ll discuss the effects of deployment on mental health and the resources Airmen can use to get the help they need.

How Your Mental Health Can Be Affected After an Air Force Deployment

Once Airmen return home from deployment, they may experience some trouble adjusting to life back at home, even months or more after their return. The challenges they experience overseas can create difficult feelings that make it hard to make connections, reestablish a routine, and recover from PTSD or other mental health conditions they may have developed while they were overseas. Some Airmen may also feel that it’s harder to connect with their family or community and may have trouble coping with the important life events and changes that occurred while they were gone.

Mental health is often a big concern for service members, especially since conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common for Airmen to experience when they return home. Someone struggling with the symptoms of these conditions may find it more difficult to face the other challenges they’ll encounter once they return home. It’s important for our Airmen to be aware of the effects a deployment can have and how to find the help they need so they can move forward with their lives after they return home.

Signs and Symptoms That You Need Help After Your Deployment

When you return home from your deployment, there will usually be signs and symptoms that indicate you’re struggling and need help. While not every Airman will be affected the same, some of the most common signs and symptoms include:

• Nightmares, insomnia, or other sleep disturbances
• Anxiety or irritability
• Social withdrawal from loved ones
• Lack of interest in enjoyed hobbies and activities
• Risk-taking behaviors or substance abuse
• Hypervigilance, extreme sensitivity, or paranoia
• Insecurities or low self-esteem

If you’re seeing any of these signs or symptoms in yourself or a fellow Airman who returned from deployment, it’s time to seek some help. You could be having trouble dealing with what you experienced overseas or adjusting to life back home, and you may need professional intervention to get your life back on track. The good news is that Airmen have plenty of resources to help them with this challenging time. 

Resources for Airmen After Their Deployment

If you’re in the Air Force and find yourself struggling after returning home from overseas, you don’t have to deal with your challenges alone. There are numerous resources you can use to help you get your life back on track after your deployment, including:

1. Military Crisis Line

One of the most important resources for Airmen struggling with their mental health after a deployment is the Military Crisis Line. All Airmen can use this resource, regardless of whether or not they returned from deployment, but it’s a valuable resource for Airmen who find themselves struggling immensely with their mental health after they get back home. The Military Crisis Line can provide support and resources to help Airmen who are in a mental health crisis and need professional assistance. 

If you need to contact the Military Crisis Line, you can easily get in touch with them by dialing 988 and pressing one. You can also text 838255 or use their online chat to get in touch with someone who can provide you with the immediate help you need. The Military Crisis Line can provide support at any time, so you never have to wait to get the help you need.

2. Mental Healthcare Professionals

Airmen who are struggling with things like PTSD, depression, and anxiety may want to consider reaching out to a mental healthcare provider to get their symptoms under control so they can get their life on track. Mental health symptoms can often make it difficult to resume a normal life and can affect a person’s ability to keep up with the responsibilities at work and at home. A mental health professional can give you the strategies you need to deal with your symptoms. 

Sometimes, you might need more than just therapy to get through your mental health symptoms, especially if your symptoms are getting in the way of your life. Your mental health provider may recommend that you take medication in combination with other types of treatment to help you recover after a deployment. 

3. Deployment Support Groups

There are plenty of Airmen who struggle after coming home from their deployment, which is why support groups exist to help members of the Air Force connect and support each other while they’re going through the difficulties of acclimating to life at home. There are support groups that are specifically for people who have deployed, which allows you to connect with people who have a better understanding of what you’ve gone through. Making connections with these people can provide you with a support network you can rely on when things get hard.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, you can also find support groups that are specific to conditions like PTSD or anxiety. Through these support groups, you can learn how to cope with your symptoms in healthy ways and vent about what you’re experiencing, which can be healing for many people.

4. Loved Ones

While your loved ones aren’t professionals, they can still be a valuable resource after you get back from overseas. Once you return, try to have open and honest communication with your family and friends about what you’re going through. While it may be hard to open up, talking with people who care about you can ease your transition back to life at home.

For example, if you tell your family that you’re having trouble readjusting to the routine at home, they can help you deal with these struggles or adjust routines to make you feel more comfortable while you’re getting used to life back in the States. If you’re struggling with your mental health, you can also reach out to your friends and family when you need someone to talk to.

5. Non-Profits

There are plenty of non-profits that are dedicated to helping our Airmen, whether they need mental health treatment, housing, financial assistance, or something else. Many of these organizations do inspiring work that allows our Airmen to thrive after their deployment, and you can often reach out to them when you feel like you’re struggling with your return to the States.

You can even find organizations that will help you find mental health treatment if you’re struggling with PTSD, anxiety, or depression. If you’re struggling with adjusting to your old routine and falling behind on your responsibilities, some organizations can help with aspects like childcare, finances, and more.

You can find different nonprofit organizations by looking up a national or local organization that specifically addresses your problem. Other Airmen or members of your command may be able to point you in the right direction if you want to start looking for a non-profit for help.

6. Military OneSource

Another valuable resource for Airmen is Military One Source, which you can use for various things, such as addressing your challenges after deployment. You can access assistance for things like money management, relocation, childcare, spouse employment, and more. You can also find information about where to find treatment after you return home, which is especially important if you find that you’re struggling after returning home. 

Stay Prepared for Every Stage of Your Career With AUSI

Whether you’re about to deploy or you’ve returned home and need to go back to work, American Uniform Sales has you covered. We offer AFI-compliant uniforms, rank, insignia, footwear, and more to ensure your uniform stays within strict Air Force standards, no matter where your job takes you. We even offer gear to help you carry the supplies you need to be successful in your work. You can get started by browsing our selection or contacting us with your questions.