Final answer:
WWII had significant, detrimental effects on mentally ill patients and veterans, with widespread PTSD, societal stigma, and inadequate healthcare and support. Furthermore, the war's atrocities included the murder of psychiatric patients in Nazi eugenics programs, and post-war veterans faced ongoing challenges due to discrimination and marginalization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effect of WWII on mentally ill patients, particularly veterans, was profound and lasting. With little known about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the time, many servicemen did not receive the necessary healthcare upon their return. Lack of understanding and stigma around psychological conditions in both European and American societies led to numerous struggles for these individuals. Flashbacks, isolation, and self-medication with alcohol became common among veterans as they dealt with their trauma. Furthermore, military policies and societal attitudes towards homosexuality meant that many veterans faced additional psychological challenges during and after their service.
In addition to the mental health struggles faced by soldiers, civilian mental health institutions suffered greatly during WWII, particularly in Nazi Germany, where eugenics policies led to the murder of many people with physical and mental disabilities. Psychiatric patients were also among the casualties of the war, which saw unprecedented levels of displacement and human suffering.
The aftermath of the war saw veterans and those with mental illnesses continue to face significant challenges, with instances of ‘mercy killings’ in institutions and insufficient care and support for returning servicemen. The stigmatization and marginalization of those with mental health issues continued well into the post-war period, impacting educational opportunities and societal participation until the civil rights movements of the 1960s began to push for meaningful change.