Trauma

A traumatic event is something that can be life-threatening or very scary that you see or that happens to you. Examples can include fire, natural disaster, violence, sexual assault, or a life-threatening accident. Trauma also includes witnessing someone being killed or injured.

Veterans may go through traumatic experiences such as combat, blasts, or witnessing death and injury. In addition, military sexual trauma (MST), which includes sexual harassment and sexual assault, can occur for both men and women.