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CoverStory: 
US Military Taking Its First Strong Steps Toward Defeating Mental Health Challenges By
Dr. Barbara Romberg,
Special to Veterans Advantage
 Recently,
I had the pleasure of meeting a young man at a
conference on combat stress co-sponsored by Give
an Hour. An Iraq veteran, he had lost his leg in
the war. He was unassuming, polite, articulate,
and very concerned about the men and women returning
home from the current conflicts. I had just completed
a presentation on fear. I discussed the role that
this common human emotion plays in our ability
to seek help, accept help, and acknowledge that
someone we love might be in need of help. We each
carry our own particular collection of fears that
sometimes keep us from moving forward, I explained.
For some it may be the fear of the unknown or the
fear of change. For others it may be the fear of
facing painful memories.
For others it turns
out to be the fear of dishonor. This was what
the young Vet wanted to talk with me about. He
explained how a soldier’s fear
of dishonoring his unit, his service, and his family
often keeps him silent about his nightmares, flashbacks,
anxiety, and depression. He thanked me for Give
an Hour’s efforts to provide critical mental
health care and support to the men, women, and
families who serve our country. He expressed the
hope that we would be able to help those returning
from combat—some with invisible wounds such
as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury—find
honor in seeking and receiving the help they need
and deserve. As we concluded our conversation,
he asked for assistance in locating a Give an Hour
provider in his state.
We often hear reference
in the media to the term “stigma” as
it relates to attempts to provide psychological
assistance to the military community. Reports indicate
that returning troops fail to seek help for the
psychological consequences of war because of the “stigma” they
feel. Indeed, the Rand Report issued in April of
this year states that only half of the returning
troops who acknowledged significant psychological
symptoms sought treatment. Is there little doubt
that concerns about honor and disgrace loom large
for many of those who fail to seek care?
There has been considerable talk about the need
to remove this stigma, but historically we have
done little to address the problem. Fortunately,
some recent developments suggest we might be moving
in the right direction. The Department of Veterans
Affairs recently launched a 24-hour suicide prevention
hotline. Promotional material for this new and
much needed service carries the following line: “It
takes the courage and strength of a warrior to
ask for help.” Clearly, a new message is
being delivered.
In addition, on May
1, 2008, the Department of Defense approved a
change to question 21 on the Questionnaire for
National Security Positions regarding mental
and emotional health counseling. The question
now indicates that “mental health counseling
in and of itself is not a reason to revoke or deny
a clearance.” In response to the change,
Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff, made the following remarks:
Admiral Michael Mullen,
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff |
Our
people deserve the best mental health care we
can provide without the fear of hurting their
career in the long run. It’s time we made
everyone in uniform aware that the act of reaching
out for help is one of the most courageous acts—and
one of the first steps—to reclaiming your
career and future. All leaders must set an example
by seeking help themselves and encouraging others
to do so. Getting this question changed is a
terrific first step.
Admiral Mullen’s
remarks are more important than the change to
the document that prompted them. His words reflect
a subtle but critical shift within the military
community. They evince an appreciation of the
understandable psychological consequences that
result from exposure to combat. They make clear
that a strong military force requires a proactive
response to these consequences. They provide encouragement
for officers to lead by example by seeking appropriate
mental health care when needed. And, most important,
they make acknowledging the need for help and seeking
appropriate care honorable and courageous acts.
Clearly, very important steps are now being taken
by our military leaders. Much more, however, can
and must be done to assist the men and women coming
home from the current conflicts. We must ensure
that our returning warriors feel no shame and no
reluctance as they seek help to heal the understandable
wounds of war. We must continue to educate those
who serve, their families, and our society so that
seeking mental health care upon return from war
is as common as returning to the battlefield to
retrieve a fallen buddy.
Editors Note: Give an Hour is a strategic partner of Veterans Advantage. For more on our partnership, click here.
Veterans Advantage is also hosting a special online PTSD Transition Center for its members, with customized news and resources to help in this vital area.
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