 "Photo: Courtesy Photo")
The orange and yellow haze of the sun setting in Iraq was a breathtaking release for Andrew Young. He went from providing therapy to soldiers with depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to having to catch the falling limbs of amputees as they were operated on.
No matter what kind of day Iraq presented him with, though, he always had the sunset.
As part of the University of New Hampshire's Social Work Month - Andrew Young, UNH class of 1985, spoke Wednesday night in the ballroom of Huddleston Hall to address his ongoing efforts in the military on behalf of sociology.
The awareness of mental illnesses, like PTSD, has increased with the U.S.'s involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq, making the military a popular employer for social work graduates.
Young, a lieutenant commander in the United States Public Health Commissioned Corps (PHSCC), deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in September 2005 and performed what he said was the "first and last line of defense for those dealing with the emotional issues of war."
For Chelsea Tanous, a sophomore social work major and member of the Army ROTC, Young's speech exemplified what she would like to do in the future.
"I've never talked to someone who's done social work in the military," said Tanous. "It's something I've only read about in books. This is what I could do potentially so it was great to hear it firsthand."
Martha Ortmann, professor of sociology at UNH, has made the social work issues of the military the forefront of her classes. She used "Moving a Nation to Care: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and America's Returning Troops" by Ilona Meagher to illustrate the need for social workers in and around the military. According to Ortmann, the need is stronger than ever.
"There was never multiple deployments like this," said Ortmann. "It's a very relevant topic and something the students are very interested in."
For Young, the effects of deployment are something that he not only helps treat but something he went through himself.
"One of the biggest issues we're dealing with is how deployment affects the family," said Young, who added that he and his son had a tumultuous relationship after his deployment. "It's hard. There needs to be more of an understanding."
René Bergeron, professor of sociology at UNH said there are more family issues in relation to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom because, unlike in previous wars, the fathers of the family aren't the only ones deploying; the mothers are too.
"There's a value of helping families recover from trauma," said Bergeron. "It's not just the serviceperson, it's the wife or the husband and the children."
After Young was stationed at Camp Sather in Baghdad, he was at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. The war was anything but out of sight.
"People will do anything to get out of the military, including carving up their own body," said Young. "There was a lot of suicide attempts, alcohol abuse, you name it."
Young's biggest concern is for people right out of high school. For him, watching 18 and 19-year-olds dealing with the repercussions of war was difficult.
"The 18-year-olds are the boots on the ground in Iraq," said Young. "And for all intensive purposes their lives are already over because of what they've seen."
While deployed Young helped soldiers in all capacities, from dealing with being away from family to coping with the loss of fellow comrades, but his true passion lies in children.
"Volunteering is a good way to understand what goes on out there and what children are going through," said Young. "It's scary."
Young has worked with over 13,000 children, and had some advice for students and those working in the sociology field.
"I try to provide 100 percent of me and get something from them," said Young. "But you have to walk away with something."
Young has worked in a variety of establishments, including one of his own, but nothing has compared to the experience the military has provided him.
"There's plenty of social work opportunities," said Young. "But being in uniform is a great way to do it."
Be the first to comment on this article!