PBS Documentary 'Healing a Soldier's Heart' Addresses Veteran PTSD on Veterans Day Weekend

Healing a Soldier's Heart: A Documentary on Veteran Healing

As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, the haunting statistic of seventeen U.S. veterans succumbing to suicide every day remains unchanged. The documentary Healing a Soldier's Heart sheds light on this crisis and presents a new, hopeful approach toward treating combat-related PTSD, zeroing in on the concept of 'moral injury.' Recognized by the Veterans Affairs (VA) since 2009, moral injury addresses the psychological, social, and spiritual ramifications of war that contribute to the trauma veterans face.

Produced by Cultural Educational Media (CEM Productions), Healing a Soldier's Heart chronicles the profound journey of four Vietnam War veterans grappling with PTSD. Under the guidance of psychotherapist Dr. Edward Tick, the veterans courageously confront their inner demons and decades-old ghosts that marred their lives. The film is not merely narrative; it provides a pathway to healing through real-life trauma-healing practices, which include direct interactions with former adversaries, heartfelt apologies, and meaningful acts of restitution.

The documentary delves deep into the emotional undertones of healing, showcasing how therapy incorporates Vietnamese culture, Buddhist prayers, and practices of meditation and compassion. Challenging personal struggles, the veterans find solace and understanding through the supportive presence of their spouses, symbolizing the healing that extends beyond the individual.

Dr. Tick emphasizes the necessity of confronting suffering, stating, “The same suffering goes on consciously or unconsciously. But we have to make the suffering conscious in order to achieve healing.” The transformation witnessed among the four veterans illustrates this ethos.

From battling nightmares and drug dependency to experiencing domestic violence and contemplating suicide, the veterans emerge as self-aware individuals and spiritual warriors. Their narratives are poignant, relatable, and deeply resonant not only to Vietnam veterans but also to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to their families and friends.

Set to premiere on Veterans Day weekend, specifically on November 9, 2025, at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET, audiences can catch the documentary on PBS.org, the PBS App, and local PBS stations. Following the broadcast, there will be an opportunity for viewers to engage in a livestreamed discussion featuring Dr. Tick, filmmaker Stephen Olsson, veterans from various conflicts, spouses, and experts specializing in PTSD and moral injury.

Cultural Educational Media, the nonprofit organization behind the film, aims to create understanding and respect across cultures and faiths. With a strong legacy of producing award-winning documentaries, CEM strives to facilitate healing dialogues through compelling narratives, such as that of Healing a Soldier's Heart.

For those interested in exploring the themes presented, further information can be found at the official project website, Healing Soldiers, where viewers can also access resources about PTSD and moral injury.

Healing a Soldier's Heart represents not just a film; it’s a movement towards acknowledging and addressing the profound impact of war on the human spirit, and it aims to inspire healing across generations of veterans.