Seventy-five percent of wounded warriors report they have post-traumatic stress, and a third of those say they've struggled to find care, however, more are finding access to healthcare and education, a survey recently reported.

More than 31,000 warriors registered with Wounded Warrior Projects' (WWP) survey of military veterans.

"This seventh survey was extensive," wrote Rob Louis, a public relations specialist for WWP, in an email.

"It reaches a large population of wounded veterans, shedding light on their successes and challenges."

The survey data revealed several trends.

More than three out of four (76.7 percent) respondents reported they live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  

Of that number, more than half (53.3 percent) visited a professional to seek help with stress, emotions, alcohol, drugs or family problems.

More than one-third (34.8 percent) reported difficulty in gaining access to mental healthcare.

"We will continue to improve mental healthcare resources for all post-9/11 wounded warriors," promised Linnington.

In the area of employment, work also remains to be done.

The data showed that the unemployment rate for non-active-duty respondents was at 15.6 percent. The national average is five percent.

"Our Warriors to Work program helps educate employers about how valuable veterans are in the civilian workforce," continued Louis.

The WWP also offers career counseling, resumé assistance, mock interviews and networking to help wounded warriors find work or make a career change.

The survey also found that a significant number of wounded warriors are overweight.

"On the negative side," continued Louis, "weight continues to be an issue for this generation."

In the area of education and benefits, there has been significant progress.

In the area of education, more than three in 10 wounded warriors (30.2 percent) have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.  

This represents an increase from the 2015 survey finding of 26.5 percent.

As to benefits, more than eight in 10 (84.8 percent) received Veterans Administration disability in 2016, suggesting more approved claims by the VA.

Overall, the survey shows improvement in the lives of Wounded Warriors.

"The WWP has a solid grasp on engaging veterans at various points in the recovery," one soldier wrote.

The mission of the WWP is to honor and empower wounded warriors.  To do this, WWP raises awareness to enlist public support to meet the needs of injured servicemembers.

To present a clearer view of what it does and the impact it has on wounded warriors, the WWP recently published the results of its 2016 WWP Annual Warrior Survey.

The WWP began in 2003 when several veterans and friends delivered backpacks with comfort items to the bedsides of the first wounded warriors to return from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Since then, the project has grown and seeks to improve through self-evaluation.

For more information, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

(Credits: Middle Georgia CEO)