Veteran Rene Hemmingsen Jensen reflects on struggles with mental health and support in Denmark

Rene Hemmingsen Jensen does not recall the explosion from the roadside bomb that changed his life in an instant. He remembers reversing the tank out of the combat position near the Green Zone, followed by chaos—dust everywhere, a 65-kilogram armored plate thrown 100 meters away, and his commander asking, “Are you okay?” The incident, which occurred in March 2010, left Jensen with chronic back pain and sensory disturbances, coupled with intense anxiety whenever he drove a tank. The situation worsened after the team lost fellow soldiers Erik and Jamie.

Today, Jensen’s family struggles to appreciate the “wounded in combat” medal he received from Afghanistan. His mother, Jannie Hemmingsen, reflects on the abandonment she felt when her son returned home from the war in August 2010. She believes that timely assistance could have made the joy of such accolades more meaningful.

In Denmark, around 41,000 veterans exist, with many municipalities employing coordinators to support them. However, the effectiveness of these coordinators varies significantly, as 54 municipalities report part-time positions, with some coordinators indicating they have no time to assist veterans.

Jannie Hemmingsen describes the emotional turmoil she experienced after her son expressed suicidal thoughts online. After a crisis in early 2011, he was hospitalized, then moved back home permanently, requiring her support for nearly every aspect of daily life. For years, Jannie’s responsibility dominated her life, leading to social isolation for the family.

The support system for veterans is inconsistent across municipalities. Advocacy groups call for a more uniform and accessible approach, as many veterans feel underserved and misunderstood. Over the last few years, however, Jensen has seen improvements, receiving increased support and respite care, leading to a better quality of life for both him and his mother.