Mental health issues in the US military are a significant problem that often go untreated or under-treated. The military culture places a strong emphasis on toughness and resilience, which can discourage service members from seeking help for mental health issues due to fear of harm in their career prospects or damage to their reputation. The consequences of untreated mental health issues are severe and can have a lasting impact on service members and their families. Studies have shown that untreated mental health problems can lead to higher rates of suicide, substance abuse, and relationship problems among military personnel. These issues can also have a negative impact on a service member's performance and readiness for duty, which can have …show more content…
By providing adequate mental health support and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health in the military, the government can help service members receive the care they need and improve their overall mental health and personal stability. Mental health issues in the US military are a serious and pervasive problem that has garnered increased attention in recent years. The stress and trauma that come with serving in the military can take a toll on the mental health of service members, leading to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Unfortunately, one of the most tragic consequences of untreated mental health issues in the military is …show more content…
By providing service members with the resources and support they need to address their mental health issues, the American government can prevent the tragic and unnecessary loss of life through suicide in the military. It is imperative that the mental health and well-being of service members are prioritized to ensure that they receive the care and support they need to thrive both during and after their military service. Mental health issues among the US military personnel have gained increased attention in recent years, with statistics revealing a concerning trend in the prevalence of mental health disorders within the military population. According to a report by the Defense Health Agency, approximately 17% of active-duty service members experienced a mental health disorder in 2020, with anxiety and depression being the most common diagnoses. These statistics shed light on the significant impact that military service can have on the mental well-being of individuals, highlighting the need for effective mental health support and interventions within the
PBS’ Frontline film “The Wounded Platoon” reviews the effects the Iraq war has had on soldiers as they return home and transition back into civilian life, focusing particularly on the rise in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among American military members from Fort Carson Army base (Edge, 2010). Incidents of PTSD have risen dramatically in the military since the beginning of the Iraq war and military mental health policies and treatment procedures have adapted to manage this increase (Edge, 2010). In “The Wounded Platoon,” many military personnel discuss how PTSD, and other mental health struggles, have been inadequately treated (if at all) by military mental health services. Reasons and Perdue’s definition of a social problem allows us to see inadequate treatment of PTSD among returning United States military members as a social problem because it is a condition affecting a significant number of people in undesirable ways that can be remedied through collective action (Reasons & Perdue, 1981).
Six enlisted men who were professionally qualified psychiatric social workers were assigned to the newly formed Mental Hygiene Consultation Service at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. This event was the first time that military personnel who were professionally trained social workers were assigned and utilized as psychiatric social workers in a military unit. (Daley, 2009, p. 4)
There is a continuous pattern of depression among sailors and military personnel which needs more focus to identify the underlining factors that cause depression and ways to address the issue.
Within a recent context, the intangible, and often dismissed damage that war inflicts on a soldier’s mental health, has been reaffirmed and reexamined. The invisible injuries of war, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, and depression, have proven to be as deadly as noticeable damage, such as infections or wounds. This issue of the mental health has been given an increased importance in light of the gruesome influx of suicides and murders committed by unstable returning soldiers. With the potential increase of the United States’ military involvement in the Middle East being a relevant issue, it is incredibly important for all people, from those with direct power to those who have the sole power of their voice, to thoroughly understand the potential long-term repercussions that are involved with war, before committing men and women to fight in this conflict. Most crucially, society must ensure that proper care and services are made easily accessible for returning soldiers, in order to assist with their successful transition back to civilian
When we picture the United States Military we regard men and women in uniform fighting for our country. However, what we do not picture is the hidden problems. Stress of the job, members returning home from war, and combat create an increased stress level that can result in abusing substances and cause behavioral problems. The military has recognized that this has become a problem and is now taking steps to ensure their members safety.
Seal, Karen H., Daniel Bertenthal, Christian R. Miner, Saunak Sen, and Charles Marmar. "Bringing the War Back Home: Mental Health Disorders Among 103 788 US Veterans Returning From Iraq and Afghanistan Seen at Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities." Archives of Internal Medicine 167.5 (2007): 476-82. Print.
Unfortunately, the military is a society that does not encourage the reporting of mental health issues, reducing the chance of returning soldiers receiving treatment. Also, when a spouse attempts to report a case of intimate partner violence the call is received by the military police, not the civilian police force. This is an issue because, just as a soldier fears reporting mental health issues for fear of recourse, the spouse may have the same fear. A report of intimate partner violence may not result in jail time or discharge from the military, but it may result in decrease of rank and pay, as well as additional details; both resulting in additional stress and increased possibility of additional incidents; and not addressing the underlying
The United States of America possess a major complication, which is the high amount of suicides in the military. Most people are unaware of the risks from being in the military until it is too late to assist them. Serving in the military can cause PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), which then leads to complications with family situations, financial issues, and depression. Without proper therapy, many soldiers are at high risk of committing suicide. According to researchers, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. military, with rates ranging between 9 to 15 deaths per 100,000 service members (Bryan, et al. 1). Typically, Caucasian male service members are more at risk of suicides than any females (****). This affects multiple civilians that have family or friends who are serving in the military. Furthermore, this matter is important because not only are they civilians who commit suicides, but they are the leaders who stepped up to protect and defend our country. America needs to aid its troops for the sake of the nation’s defense. In order to reduce the amount of suicides during and after being deployed from the military, the military must require soldiers to know of ways to help themselves and others in need of assistance. A few ways to aid soldiers are suicide hotlines, counseling
Hundreds of thousands of United States veterans are not able to leave the horrors of war on the battlefield (“Forever at War: Veterans Everyday Battles with PTSD” 1). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the reason why these courageous military service members cannot live a normal life when they are discharged. One out of every five military service members on combat tours—about 300,000 so far—return home with symptoms of PTSD or major depression. According to the Rand Study, almost half of these cases go untreated because of the disgrace that the military and civil society attach to mental disorders (McGirk 1). The general population of the world has to admit that they have had a nightmare before. Imagine not being able to sleep one wink because every time you close your eyes you are forced to relive memories from the past that you are trying to bury deep. This is what happens to the unfortunate men and women who are struggling with PTSD. Veterans that are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder deserve the help they need.
A survey of OEF/OIF Veterans identified major rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, alcohol-related problems, social and family problems, and suicidal behavior. However the most alarming statistic is not about deployment rates or rates of diagnoses, the most alarming fact is that fewer than 10% of those diagnosed with PTSD or depression have received the recommended the mental health treatment upon re-integration into society. The dropout rate at the Veterans Association (VA) PTSD clinics is distressingly high as well when looking into VA records it was found that 68% of OEF/OIF Veterans dropped out of their prescribed counseling and programs prior to completion (Garcia et al., 2014). Because most of these men were deployed mul...
A catalyst for change within the psychiatric treatment of veterans was the Vietnam War. Soldiers returned from war suffering unmistakable service related psychiatric conditions. (Pols & Oak, 2007) In 1969, veterans were returning from Vietnam War to find themselves suffering from the trauma of war with no resources or treatment to help them manage their mental health. A few key players, including Senator Alan Cranston, fought for the creation of appropriate mental health services, known as readjustment counseling, which would be provided to eligible veterans in “small, community based centers” and was approved after 10 years of battling with Congress to pass it through legislation (Blank,
Upon evaluation, the journal article “ Mental Health in Deployed and Non-deployed Veteran Men and Women in Comparison With their Civilian Counterparts” by Mark W. Hoglund and Rebecca M. Schwartz published by Military Medicine in Volume 19 proves to be a moderately reliable source due to the academic presentation which includes data, personal interviews, qualified sources and a balanced argument that have points that support their argument. Mark W. Hoglund was a project manager for Family Health services, he served as a Human Resources professional in three different organizations, and studies Adult Career planning and Development. Rebecca M. Schwartz is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor, and a graduate of public health. Although Schwartz never served in military and majority of her studies are for HIV in kids and women this leads her to have lot of information about the mental being.
The military has addressed and implemented many safeguards for preventing suicide, through the use of the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program (AFSPP), which has been adopted by all of the military branches and the VA as their suicide prevention program. Martin, Ghahramanlou-Holloway, Lou, & Tucciarone (2009) states military and veteran personnel receive training utilizing the AFSPP which covers the basic information to address and identify suicidality, and screen those who are at risk for suicide (i.e. prior attempts, recent deployment, multiple deployments, marriage, divorce and recent loss of a loved one. However, the AFSPP does not address the identity crisis that women maybe experience due to their change in roles. Therefore, the military conduct cultural competency classes and create a more homogenous climate where women and men are able to feel their job is not bound to any sex (i.e. women in combat jobs and male nurses). The military should change their policies that detour service members from seeking
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), it defines mental illness as Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in thinking, emotion or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities. (What Is Mental Illness? (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2016, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness). Mental Disorders are a wide range of mental conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. There are a lot of different psychological disorders here is a list of the major psychological disorders and their definitions:
When Sailors hide these health problems it degrades the entirety of the military and puts lives in damage. For some Sailors a discharge for a medical issue after the ten year hump isn’t an option if avoidable, and these men and women are going to hide their symptoms, bury their nightmares, bear their stress and in some cases ultimately pay the ultimate price. The first step to solving this issue could be to reduce stress, and there is an assortment of methods to reduce the burdens of stress to include, more sleep, mediation, counseling, and so on (Dessler, 2017). The Navy should bring in experts to examine Sailors in their day to day environments to help identify high risk situations that could result in increased stressed, situations that should be regulated, limited, or require counseling after a certain amount of exposure. To compliment this training should be incorporated to help remove the stigma associated with anxiety, stress, and depression, a path to wellness that doesn’t involve separation should be provided in all possible cases except the most