The withdrawal from Afghanistan is affecting the mental health of US veterans, says retired lieutenant colonel.

Veterans are sharing their views on the impact of the deaths of 13 American service members at Abbey Gate during the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, three years later. Mission Roll Call CEO and retired Lt. Col. Jim Whaley spoke exclusively with Planet Chronicle Digital to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers' sacrifices. Mission Roll Call is a nonprofit organization that aims to amplify the voices of veterans and their supporters, advocating for policy changes and ensuring their concerns are heard by policymakers.

According to a poll by Mission Roll Call, 70% of veterans nationwide believe that the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal has negatively impacted their view of America's legacy on the Global War on Terror and their service more broadly.

Since 2001, over 775,000 U.S. service members have been deployed to Afghanistan. Many veterans are uncertain about the purpose of their sacrifice, according to Mission Roll Call. After the Afghanistan withdrawal, there was a spike in emergency calls from veterans suffering from anxiety and PTSD. The vast majority of veterans feel betrayed by the withdrawal, which has spiked a lot of emotions, said Lt. Col. Whaley.

The National Center for PTSD found that 7 out of every 100 veterans suffer from PTSD, and those who have deployed are three times more likely to develop the condition than those who haven't.

According to our poll, through Mission Roll Call, 72% of veterans feel sadness or personal reflection due to the Taliban's advance into Afghanistan. On the other hand, 83% of our veterans are not satisfied with the level of accountability among senior leaders and civilians due to the withdrawal, as stated by Whaley.

The withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan has caused mistrust, anxiety, and a sense of disillusionment among veterans and their families who made sacrifices for two decades in the fight against terrorism. On August 26, 2021, thirteen American service members, mostly Marines, lost their lives during the withdrawal while aiding in evacuation efforts.

The U.S. observes September as Suicide Prevention Month, and Mission Roll Call aims to address veterans' mental health concerns, particularly those related to the Afghanistan withdrawal.

On any given day, we lose 22 veterans, which is an extraordinarily high number. This is a great embarrassment for our country. We must strive as a nation to drive suicides among veterans to zero.

"The loss of veterans to suicide during the war against terror is a tragedy."

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 988 for immediate assistance.