Mental Health of Disabled Veterans In An Inclusive Health System: Invisible Problems

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Mahammad Huseynaliyev, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Military Medicine at Azerbaijan Medical University. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

People who lost their health as a result of war require long-term and complex medical, rehabilitation, and psychosocial services. In recent years, the expansion of rehabilitation services in many countries has been a positive step: in post-war contexts, a growing number of veterans have gained with assistive devices and advanced prostheses.

Many disabled veterans suffer more from mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosocial functional disorders, depression, and anxiety due to traumatic experiences, chronic pain, and difficulties reintegrating into civilian life; this seriously affects their daily life, social functioning, and ability to work.

Nevertheless, in some parts of the world the long-term mental health needs of disabled veterans remain insufficiently met. Although state and international programs have strengthened rehabilitation infrastructure, these measures often focus on physical rehabilitation and resources for mental health are inadequate. The involvement of psychologists and psychiatrists in rehabilitation programs, individualized psychological intervention plans, and continuous therapy must be an integral part of treatment.

One of the most pressing problems for an inclusive health system is the lack of sufficient psychiatrists and psychologists in outlying districts and regions. According to WHO’s Mental Health Atlas 2024 and the 2025 updated reports, qualified mental health personnel are concentrated mainly in urban centers, while shortages of psychiatrists and psychologists are felt more acutely in rural and peripheral areas. The global median indicator is only 13 mental health workers per 100,000 people.

Moreover, while high-income countries allocate roughly USD 60–65 per capita to mental health, in low-income countries this figure is often far below one US dollar. As a result, many disabled veterans lack access to psychological and psychiatric care.

Another major problem worldwide is that many people do not fully recognize the importance of mental health. Society overlooks psychotherapeutic needs and does not take them seriously, describing them as “simple” or “temporary.” Mental health problems are still accompanied by social stigma, which particularly hinders war veterans from seeking professional help.

Although certain steps have been taken globally to meet the primary medical needs of disabled veterans, qualified psychologists and psychiatrists are still lacking in outlying regions and society has not yet fully embraced the importance of mental health. Closing staffing and service gaps in regional areas, reducing stigma and ensuring sustained funding can make it possible to secure the mental health of disabled veterans.

Joint, measurable and purposeful action by decision-makers, health professionals and society is crucial to ensure that disabled veterans can live dignified, equal lives in both mental and physical health.

About the author

Mahammad Huseynaliyev is a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Military Medicine at Azerbaijan Medical University. He is an active member of the SCORA (Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV/AIDS) at Azerbaijan Medical University( SCORA – AzerMDS – IFMSA).