After time served on the battlefield, battle scars are inevitable. Some of these scars are physical wounds, injuries, or lost limbs. But many times, it’s the unseen scars that plague soldiers for years after they serve.
As 48,000 U.S. troops withdraw from Afghanistan in August, it’s imperative to remember that 30 percent of those serving in active or reserve duty are experiencing mental health conditions. Less than half of those veterans who need mental health services will receive them.
Mental health is such a serious issue in the military that the Veterans Administration reports approximately 22 veterans take their life every day.
Fortunately, mental health awareness continues to improve. There are many existing services and resources for active duty, veterans, and their families.
Common mental health issues in the military
During the War on Terror, more people became familiar with the phrase “The Invisible War.” Long after troops leave the battlefield, they face battles of the mind that trigger some of their most traumatic experiences.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, there are three main mental health concerns that active duty and veterans face: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Although anyone can experience PTSD, the rate in members of the military is up to 15 percent higher than the general population. The life-threatening, traumatic events troops face while in combat can impact sleep, cause alcoholism or drug abuse, or trigger anger issues. It may take time for the symptoms of PTSD to show, and problems associated with PTSD can last for months or years.
Depression is one of the leading causes of mental illness in the U.S., with more than 9.5 percent of Americans suffering from depressive illness. The rate of depression in the military can be up to five times higher than that of civilians. Depression is not merely being sad, it is an illness that affects people physically, mentally, and emotionally.
When someone has sudden and physical damage to the brain—for example, from a gunshot wound or car accident—they might experience traumatic brain injury. TBI covers a vast range of physical and mental disabilities, including coma or death. Symptoms can affect someone’s cognitive, communication, sensory, motor, or social skills, and more.
Mental health issues are common in the military, and undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues can lead to alcohol and drug abuse, crime, or suicide. It’s important to remember that these conditions do not display weakness and should be addressed!
Identifying signs of mental health crisis
Mental health issues affect people differently. They can start at any time, last any length of time, and be triggered by different causes.
There are signs that indicate when someone is experiencing mental health conditions. Although each mental health illness has its own symptoms, some common warning signs include:
- Excessive worrying
- Excessive sadness
- Confusion or trouble concentrating
- Extreme mood swings
- Unusual irritability, anger, or violence
- Loss of interest in activities or social engagements
- Avoiding people
- Changes in eating, sleeping, work, or hobbies
- Misuse of drugs or alcohol
Signs of a mental health crisis, requiring immediate attention, include:
- Thoughts or plans of suicide
- Talking about death
- Destructive behavior
Mental health resources for military
Fortunately, there are a growing number of mental health resources for active duty and veterans.
Funded by the Department of Defense, Military OneSource is a 24/7-service provided to all branches of the military. The service covers a wide range of resources, including peer-to-peer support, wounded warriors and caregivers, confidential non-medical counseling, live chat, and resources for spouses. Talk to those who understand the stress of military life.
For someone experiencing a mental health crisis, Military OneSource connects to Military Crisis Line, a free resource for all service members that provides text messaging and online chat options. The confidential, 24/7 service also extends to family and friends. Military Crisis Line provides access to a self-check quiz, information on when to call, and connections to local support services.
TRICARE, the health care service for serving military, retirees, and their families, helps to define mental health care and what services are covered by TRICARE.
Veterans
There are many mental health support services designed for veterans through U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health Resources. VA Mental Health provides access to high-quality care for veterans and their families that focuses on recovery, evidence-based treatment, measurement-based treatment, and wholistic care that is available 24/7 and close to home.
The National Center for PTSD helps to define PTSD, provide treatment options, and identify care options to manage symptoms. There also are resources that help family and friends understand how to provide support.
Through Make the Connection, veterans can connect with support services to discuss conditions ranging from adjustment disorder to depression to effects of traumatic brain injury to suicide. These conditions can impact a person’s life, health, and relationships. This online tool provides resources and solutions to work through these challenges.
Other resources
The National Resource Directory—a collaboration between the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs—pools resources for service members, wounded warriors, veterans, and their families. These services focus on recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
A tool for veterans called Moving Forward provides free, online, self-paced courses developed to help problem solve and manage stress.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness strives to provide awareness, education, support, and advocacy of mental illness for individuals and families. The group provides education, support services, the NAMI HelpLine, publications, a video resource library, and online discussion groups.
How you can help
Mental health conditions are gaining more awareness and understanding, but it is still difficult for many people to ask for help.
Look for signs of mental health conditions and offer support. A Mental Health First Aid training program can teach you how to identify and respond to signs of mental health illness or substance abuse. This training provides the skills and support you need to reach out to someone you feel is experiencing mental health symptoms.
Learn to identify and address mental health concerns experienced by military and their families, reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions, learn strategies that encourage mental health dialogue, and discover important resources.
Education and awareness will help to decrease the percentage of active duty and veterans who experience mental health conditions and do not get the proper treatment.