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7 AN EPIDEMIC OF TRAUMA The future of humanistic psychology is becoming linked to the epidemic of traumatic stress reactions. The U.S. military has invested millions of dollars in comprehensive solider fitness and suicide prevention programs only to see morale deteriorate and the suicide rate increase year after year. U.S. combat veterans take their own lives far more often than their civilian peers of the same age. At least 15% of the men and women returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan develop PTSD; half of them never seek help, and half of those who do drop out after the first one or two sessions (Paulson & Krippner, 2010). Relatively few are directed to a humanistic or existential psychotherapist, one who would do more than prescribe medication and focus on symptom reduction. By virtue of their training and orientation, humanistic psychologists attempt to help veterans face their existential crises and focus on developing post-traumatic talents and skills. When a tsunami hit Asia, the media interviewed local members of the Christian and Muslim clergy. When people were asked why God or Allah allowed such a tragedy to occur, the typical response was, "We do not know the reason, but we must trust the Divine, who is all-powerful." Some survivors found consolation in this response, but others did not. Nor, on other occasions, were family members satisfied with similar palliatives when their children were killed in the wars overwhelming Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Immigrants flooding Western Europe bring belief systems with them that may not serve them well in their new environment. Reproduced with permission of The Licensor through PLSclear / Routledge