by Gabriella Lettini

Originally published Oct. 23, 2010 nytimes.com

Responding to Bob Herbert’s timely New York Times column, “The Way We Treat Our Troops”, Gabriella Lettini, convener of commissioners, Truth Commission on Conscience in War, explains “moral injury” — a rarely addressed trauma of war which is distinct from the more widely known condition of post traumatic stress disorder. Professor Lettini highlights the important work which the Truth Commission is doing, addressing this and related issues.  Her letter to the Editor of the New York Times, reprinted below, notes the Commission’s Report, to be released on Veterans Day.

To the Editor:

In 2009 V.A. clinical psychologists published the first in-depth description of a rarely addressed hidden trauma of war called “moral injury.” Moral injury may be accompanied by post-traumatic stress disorder, but it is not the same thing: it derives from witnessing, perpetrating or failing to prevent acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs. The long-term effect can harm soldiers at the emotional, psychological, behavioral, spiritual and social level.

As it is so tragically evident in the veteran suicide rates described by Bob Herbert, the effect of moral injury can foster internal conflict and self-condemnation that become intolerable. American society has the responsibility not to leave its veterans alone in this struggle.

The Truth Commission on Conscience in War addresses these issues, involving veterans, scholars, religious and community leaders, psychologists, lawyers, educators, veteran families and military chaplains. Its report will be officially released on Veterans Day.

Gabriella Lettini
Berkeley, Calif., Oct. 23, 2010

The writer, an associate professor of ethics at the Starr King School for the Ministry, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, is convener of commissioners, Truth Commission on Conscience in War.