Lack of support in the aftermath

As non-commissioned members (NCMs), we were the blue-collar backbone of the military, facing dirtier fights than the officers, who were not necessarily at the forefront. Still, when officers started talking about PTSD, they got all kinds of treatments to help them out, but the experiences and the needs of NCMs were not recognized to the same degree and not to the extent that we deserved to be recognized. - Military Veteran

You may not have received helpful or sufficient support from the service, your colleagues or family. Reaction from the media or the public may have added to your distress. It may feel like your service and the sacrifices you and your family made weren’t appreciated or respected. These kinds of disappointments can lead to a sense of alienation.

This sense of being let down by the RCMP or CAF can lead to added layers of loss and grief, as it is not what you expected from your service or others in these circumstances.