Many service members who need and deserve proper mental health care fear negative consequences or perceptions and take no action to seek treatment. Troops struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression may not visit a mental health care provider because they think their buddies or command will treat them differently for doing so. Some may not realize that they may have a problem. This stigma persists as a barrier to providing help to those who need mental health care in all populations, not just in the military.
There is no shame in seeking help. Many military leaders have come forward to talk about their own experiences with post-traumatic stress or depression and how they have benefitted from help they have received. A wealth of mental health programs and services have been created by DoD and partnering organizations.
Is this enough in a military environment? Has DoD taken the right approach in addressing this issue? What programs and resources are working? Which ones aren’t working? What will it take to convince service members that they will see no negative consequence as a result of seeking mental health care?
Please keep in mind that this forum is used to debate DoD health policy and operational issues. Your comments will be passed along to MHS senior leaders for their consideration.
Mental health information and resources are available at www.health.mil/mentalhealth.
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