Moral Injury and Spiritual Emergency

Moral Injury and Spiritual Emergency

by Emma Bragdon, PhD

Joshua Mantz, fresh out of West Point Academy, was a second lieutenant in the army deployed in 2006 to a dangerous zone in Baghdad, Iraq, at age 23. Within months he was shot by a sniper, almost bled to death, and flatlined for 15 minutes (giving him a Near-Death Experience). When close associates were killed during his watch, and he almost lost his life—he experienced survivor guilt and moral injury. He recovered his physical health sufficiently to return to his platoon after 4 months of recuperation. He wrote in 2017 that human connection and community saved him from the darkness of moral injury. Now he is a PhD candidate studying Philosophy, Religion and Consciousness, convinced that spiritual growth is the most powerful path to healing, and fully overcoming moral injury.

Moral Injury Defined

Moral Injury often creates profound inner conflict that can destabilize the most healthy among us. Psychiatrist Jonathon Shay created the term and defined moral injury. It has three components: moral injury is present when there has been a betrayal of what is morally right, by someone who holds legitimate authority, and in a high-stakes situation. Given the number of veterans today who suicide because of moral injury—it is important to sort out how to help them heal with appropriate support so they avoid hurting themselves.