Three types of mental illness permeate the military. As somebody who is proudly serving my country, I am very concerned about service members who are struggling with mental health issues. Just like any informed American, I have heard tales of mental illness from both the service members and the family side of things—so, I think it’s important to mention how fragile mental health can be for someone in the military or for anyone married to a service member struggling with a mental illness.I also consider myself lucky that neither my wife nor I have had to deal with these issues—and I hope we never do—but I think it’s important for all of us to have the information in case anything ever develops.After all—we can’t fix a problem if we don’t realize it’s a problem in the first place.
Mental Illness in Military Members
Members of the military and their families can suffer from mental illness just like anybody else. Anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and the like can happen to anyone. However, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health, three specific conditions adversely affect the mental health of military service members and their families more than they do civilians.
1. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Although medical experts agree PTSD has taken a heavy toll on soldiers for decades, they also acknowledge diagnoses gained traction after troops returned from the Iraq War. The incidents of PTSD in military members is 15 times higher than that of civilians, according to a 2014 JAMA Psychiatry study of mental illness in the military. PTSD is caused by traumatic events—combat, and sexual or physical assault—that induce long-lasting negative effects, such as alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety, anger, and nightmares.
2. Traumatic Brain Injury
Most of the time, a traumatic brain injury is suffered by a major blow to the head, although it can also occur with certain kinds of trauma to the body as well. While the physical injury is often quick and fairly easy to diagnose, the full results of the mental aspects of traumatic brain injury may not be known for weeks, months, or even years after the occurrence. Symptoms include memory problems, mood changes, mood swings, fatigue, and headaches.
3. Depression
In the 2014 JAMA Psychiatry study, researchers found soldiers suffer from depression at a rate five times higher than civilians. The study also revealed that the spouses and significant others of soldiers with mental illness deal with their soldier's depression more frequently as well. Unfortunately, many in our society think depression is just being “very sad,” and it’s something you simply need to "get over," but these assumptions are incorrect. Sadness is a symptom of depression but not depression in and of itself. Depression often interferes with daily life, such as the ability to work effectively, enjoy family, and get a decent night’s sleep.
How Military Families Can Find Help
If you happen to be in the military and are suffering from any of these issues, or know somebody who is, help is available. In last week's blog, "Mental Illness: What is it and What Support is Available?" I suggested the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) as a great place to start. Hotlines are available to help you as well. Additionally, the list below gives you a path to follow to get the help you or your loved one needs.
1. General Suggestions
The first line of defense is to talk to somebody you feel safe with. They may not have the training to address your particular mental health issue on a professional level, but unburdening yourself and admitting something is wrong is a big first step.
Next, talk to your primary care physician who you are more familiar with. You should always keep your doctor informed of your mental health issues because they have your medical history. They are the best source for discussing concerns, treatment options, and referrals.
In the event of an emergency, always call 9-1-1.
2. Military Specific
If you’d like to deal with someone confidentially who understands the specific concerns of a service member or their family, contact Military OneSource. They can be reached via their website or by calling 1-800-342-9647.
Many military bases have behavioral health care providers working onsite at their primary care clinics. These services allow patients to seek help without leaving the base. The larger bases also feature Embedded Behavioral Health Teams, which operate independently of the primary care clinic. You can also visit the Embedded Military Health website.
In the event of an emergency, always call 9-1-1.
A Recap and A Reminder
I hope you're learning helpful information in my blog series on mental health. If anything, I hope my series encourages you to engage in discussions with others on how to understand mental illness better. Please use the series as a reference for how to get help. I've placed the links to all the blogs below.
Feel free to contact me with questions or leave comments as well. The time is now to start a dialogue on mental illness.
So stay tuned.
Next week, I start a new series about the identity gap and how to be your true self. See you then.