Military Mental Health: Conquering Obstacles and Locating Assistance
In the realm of mental health, those who serve our country often face unique challenges. A 2006 study found that 97% of personnel seeking mental health treatment did not experience any negative career impacts, yet a 2015 study suggests that most deployed soldiers with mental health disorders are not in treatment. This gap highlights the need for improved mental health care and support within the military.
Jackie Speier, chairwoman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, has advocated for changes in military mental health care. Her proposals include mandating leadership training on suicide prevention and mental health awareness, holding accountable those who stigmatize, haze, isolate, bully, or punish, destigmatizing help-seeking behaviors, breaking down barriers to treatment, normalizing and improving access to mental health services.
Fortunately, resources are available for those who have served and are experiencing mental health difficulties. The 988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, Befrienders Worldwide, and local emergency services are just a few options. For those calling on behalf of someone else, it's crucial to stay with them until help arrives or remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if safe to do so. If not in the same household, staying on the phone with them until help arrives is equally important.
The abundance of resources can sometimes make it overwhelming for veterans and active duty service members to find legitimate ones. However, for veterans, recommended resources include the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department (VA), the U.S. Veteran Crisis Line, and various organisations like Cohen Veterans Network, Suicide and Trauma Reduction Initiative for Veterans (STRIVE), In Transition, Wounded Warrior Project, and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).
For currently serving military personnel, resources include Department of Defense (DoD) mental health professionals, Military Family Life Consultants (MFLCs), Military OneSource, Military Crisis Line, PTSD Coach App, National Resource Directory (NRD), Moving Forward, TRICARE®, Connected Warriors, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and Cohen Veterans Network.
Service members are more prone to living with particular mental health conditions, including but not limited to PTSD, depression, and anxiety. A 2014 study suggests that three or more deployments among active duty service members positively correlate with mental health disorders.
The Department of Defense has been encouraging military service members to seek mental health treatment, with policies and procedures from 2013 aiming to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health services. Lack of access to professional mental health care can result in longer wait times for treatment, reduced continuity of care, and ineffective treatments.
The current mental health care within the US military focuses strongly on suicide prevention, destigmatization of behavioral health issues, and promoting access to resources like counseling, peer support networks, and crisis hotlines. Efforts emphasize that seeking help is a sign of strength, aiming to reduce the stigma that mental health treatment could harm military careers.
Physical health conditions such as chronic pain and traumatic brain injury (TBI) can adversely impact mental health. PTSD and TBI are more common among service members than civilians and are considered 'signature injuries' of military service. Those with PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) also experience an increased risk of death from various causes, including homicide, injury, cardiovascular disease, medical illness, smoking and substance misuse, decreased employment and work productivity, marital and family dysfunction, and homelessness.
Protective factors include a sense of duty to others, belonging or identity, strong interpersonal bonds, and access to healthcare. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that more than 6,000 suicides among adults in 2019 were veterans, accounting for nearly 14% of all adult suicides in the United States. It's crucial to continue efforts to improve mental health support for our military personnel and veterans.
