Writing of Moral Injury and Mental Wellness: A Book Review of Fidelis, by Teresa Fazio

Abstract

In lyrical and brilliant prose, Fidelis offers a war story you have not read before. Women constitute approximately 15% of the armed services (Makowski & Everett, 2016; Murdoch et al., 2006), and represent a growing segment of the veteran population. Over 200,000 have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, yet their status as a numerical minority means that many of the war and war-injury stories we read about are from the perspective of male service members. Author Teresa Fazio's unflinchingly honest book adds her voice to this space, and makes a sorely needed contribution to the dialogue about military women, mental health, and reentry to civilian life.