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Soldiers

Hopeful Approach for Treating Combat-Related PTSD on Veterans Day Weekend

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the United States commemorates the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, a new approach to treating combat-related PTSD is being highlighted. The VA recognized "moral injury" in 2009, emphasizing the psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of war-related trauma. A documentary, "Healing a Soldier's Heart," showcases a hopeful approach to treating PTSD by focusing on the "moral injury" that can often accompany war. The film follows the journey of four PTSD-suffering Vietnam war veterans as they face their inner demons and ghosts with the guidance of psychotherapist and author Edward Tick PhD.

Key Takeaways:

  • The VA recognized "moral injury" as a treatment approach for combat-related PTSD in 2009.
  • "Healing a Soldier's Heart" is a documentary that showcases a hopeful approach to treating PTSD by focusing on the "moral injury" that can often accompany war.
  • The film follows the journey of four PTSD-suffering Vietnam war veterans as they face their inner demons and ghosts with the guidance of psychotherapist and author Edward Tick PhD.
  • The documentary presents a series of trauma-healing practices, including face-to-face meetings with former enemies, authentic apologies, and acts of restitution.
  • Ed Tick tells us about PTSD: "The same suffering goes on consciously or unconsciously. But we have to make the suffering conscious in order to achieve healing."
  • The four veterans evolve from terrorized nightmares, drug abuse, domestic violence, and thoughts of suicide to a state of self-realized human beings and spiritual warriors.
  • "Healing a Soldier's Heart" will make its national public television premiere on Veterans Day weekend, premiering November 9, 2025, at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET on PBS.org.
  • The film is produced by Cultural & Educational Media (CEM Productions), a 501(c)(3) non-profit media organization.

Statistics:

  • Seventeen U.S. veterans die by suicide every day, a number largely unchanged for over a decade.
  • 4 Vietnam war veterans participate in the documentary "Healing a Soldier's Heart."
  • The documentary presents a series of trauma-healing practices, including face-to-face meetings with former enemies, authentic apologies, and acts of restitution.

Sources:

  • "Healing a Soldier's Heart" documentary
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognized "moral injury" as a treatment approach for combat-related PTSD in 2009
  • Cultural & Educational Media (CEM Productions), a 501(c)(3) non-profit media organization
  • Neotrope(R) Entertainment
  • Contify.com

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