Noteboom The Law Firm

Military Combating Mental Health Stigma

June 8, 2010 - There are essentially two reasons veterans typically do not seek help for their mental health issues. First, many veterans are unaware the help is available. Second, there is such a negative stigma attached to suffering from mental health issues, veterans will not put themselves out there.

Military leaders testified to the Senate Armed Forces Committee as to the progress they are making in attempting to treat mental health disorders plaguing veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Predictably, testimony focused on caring for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), as well as how the military is attempting to cut down the number of soldiers and veterans committing suicide.

Army representatives outlined their efforts to better serve veterans through technology. The army recently implemented an online counseling chat designed to keep information confidential. The thought behind this program is veterans remotely communicating will not feel the stigma attached to their disorder and the need to seek help.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has found that younger veterans can be more comfortable with technology in these situations. Consequently, the VHA is developing smartphone applications. Their goal is to give veterans more access to remote mental health services. They have also launched an online chat service granting veterans anonymous and remote access to mental health counseling.

Marine Corps representatives touted their telephone crisis hotline. Their hotline is not only run completely by Marines, but it is for the sole benefit of Marines. These types of lines have been credited with saving thousands of lives.

The Navy hosts training workshops and creates training videos and exercises. The workshops are designed to show soldiers what to look for as far as warning signs in fellow soldiers and how to help those fellow soldiers get needed help. The videos and exercises are directed at building up a stronger support system in the Naval culture.

Being able to remain anonymous may be the greatest weapon in attacking the stigma attached to seeking help for mental health issues. This is why remote chat conversations are probably going to prove to be much more productive than other forms of early treatment.