Mental Health in the Army

Mental health ailments afflicting the Army ...

mental health in the army

The unusually high number of suicides among Army personnel has raised red flags among military leaders and lawmakers, initiating congressional hearings, legislation, and billions of dollars allotted for military mental health services and programs.

At the end of November 2009, the Army reported that of 344 suicides of military personnel for the year, 211 were in the Army. Since 2006, Army suicides alone have increased 37%. These rising numbers have initiated a number of actions by the military to better prevent, treat, and manage military mental health concerns - especially for those serving in the Army.

Army Health Promotion regulation (AR 600-63) is one attempt by the Army to address increasing levels of stress on soldiers and families. This directive states that commanders must work to prevent belittling or disparaging treatment of soldiers who seek mental health treatment. It also establishes a battle buddy system, and improves suicide watch and intervention procedures.

To increase awareness among soldiers, the Army now imbeds mental health workers in Army training programs and pre-deployment exercises. And post-deployment assessments and interviews guide returning soldiers to counseling and psychological resources, informing all returning soldiers that combat and overseas assignments leave no one unchanged.

The article "Army Updates Suicide-Prevention Guidance," on army.mil, stated that the Army's Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli sent out an all-Army message about the importance of mental health care in the six to 12 months following return from deployment. His message stressed the importance of a heightened awareness of suicide, behavioral-health issues, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, barriers to wellness, risk-taking behavior and non-visible injuries - hearing, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In specific reference to PTSD and TBI, Chiarelli said: "I want to change the stigma linked to these wounds. They are in fact real. These are not phantom issues made up by weak soldiers. They are as real as if you fell and broke your leg or lost an arm."

Families, therapists, friends, and coworkers all need to be watching for signs of problems that are possibly not apparent to the soldier. Increased depression (see Depression), anxiety (see Anxiety), anger, and violence are all signs of readjustment issues. Also, the increased use of alcohol or illegal drugs can signal unresolved emotional and behavioral issues.

And the Army also recognizes that an individual's combat experience affects the whole family. Marriages experience a wide range of change and challenges, and children act out or have a number of school-related, relationship, and adjustment issues.

Army bases have increased the number of mental health professionals available to soldiers and their families, but many family members return to home communities to be close to extended family when a spouse deploys. Additionally, Army National Guard and Reserve members and families lack the availability of on-base professionals, and the built-in support of other military families struggling with similar issues.

For that reason, the Army is working with community organizations to provide needed support. The army.mil website reports that the Army has hired 61 community support coordinators located across the U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and Japan to help connect military personnel and their families with community organizations that, in partnership with the Army, offer support programs and services. And many nonprofits have also organized in the past few years to meet the pressing needs of geographically dispersed military families.

Because of the Army's increased emphasis on mental health, and more community-based programs, professionals knowledgeable about the unique stressors experienced by Army personnel and their families are in high demand. Those with a background in psychology have the skills needed by both military and civilian agencies to help the nation by helping these service members. If you want to help military individuals and families, and are interested in Army mental health careers, request information from schools offering psychology degrees.