The intensities of war, demand for mental and physical toughness, and separation from family make military veterans susceptible to a wide range of mental health risks. A study reported by the American Psychology Association revealed just how widespread military mental health challenges can be: In 2013, there were 1,080 suicide attempts and 245 suicides among active-duty service members.
A longer-ranging study released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs found that, from 2008 through 2016, about 6,000 veterans committed suicide each year. That represented a roughly 26 percent increase in the suicide rate for veterans during this period. The study also noted that as many as 1 in 4 active-duty members of the Armed Forces has some signs of a mental health disorder.
Meanwhile, the RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research found that 20 percent of individuals who served in either Afghanistan or Iraq struggled with major depression or PTSD.
Key Risks to Veterans
Veterans are at risk for a variety of mental health disorders. Mental illness in the military can include:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
One of the most common forms of mental illness in the military occurs after traumatic events such as disasters, sexual assault, physical assault, or military combat. These events can create long-term negative thought patterns. Over time, individuals who do not manage these thoughts and feelings can develop nightmares, anger, aggressiveness, difficulty sleeping, and restlessness. Some turn to alcohol and drugs as a way to soothe their feelings. This can create co-occurring disorders where alcohol or drug abuse happens alongside one or more mental health disorders.
Depression
Major depressive episodes can occur in individuals coming back from a deployment of any type, including combat. In this case, depression is not just feeling sad. It typically causes feelings of helplessness, anger, frustration, and difficulty completing daily tasks.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Though less common, traumatic brain injuries due to a blow to the head can alter brain chemistry. This can go unnoticed for some time until mental health issues develop. In some, this can lead to depression-like symptoms; in others, it can cause mood swings. Many experience fatigue, headaches, memory problems, and an inability to concentrate.
Why Are Military Veterans at Risk for Mental Health Disorders?
Military mental health is complex since no single factor impacts every individual. For active members, especially those engaged in wartime activities, the risks of military behavioral health concerns increase significantly. Deployment alone can be a factor in the development of these challenges; however, those engaged in combat are more likely than others to experience adverse effects.
After deployment, many individuals may have supportive family and friends but don’t open up to them for various reasons that can further aggravate their condition:
- Embarrassment about service-related, mental health disorders
- Fear of being seen as weak for needing help
- Shame over what they experienced, did, or, in some cases, did not do
- Lack of understanding about what they are feeling and what they need
- A feeling they will disappoint their loved ones
The Stigma of Seeking Help
For many veterans, the thought of obtaining help for mental health issues seems like a failure, due to the negative stigma attached to needing treatment. Some men and women leaving the military never seek help, believing they can manage it on their own because their fellow veterans seem to do so.
Shame, frustration, and the compulsion to “just go on” with their lives can leave men and women unwilling to seek help but immobilized by their condition. They may also encounter demographic barriers to treatment—or false stereotypes of their demographic—that cause them to doubt whether treatment will really address their needs. They may come to believe they just need to cope on their own.
Another key aspect of this stigma stems from a belief that seeking care for mental health issues could limit or otherwise negatively affect their career. Although health and mental health challenges that go untreated can impact anyone’s career, today anyone seeking help for therapy or counseling has job protections under the law.
Veterans have additional legal protections when they seek treatment for a mental health condition. Rules passed by the U.S. Department of Defense in 2014 eliminate the chance that talking to a doctor or having a diagnosis of mental illness will be career-ending. Additionally, seeking treatment for mental health issues does not automatically disqualify an individual from serving, ranking upwards, or obtaining long-term benefits—and, it does not automatically limit security clearance.
Sometimes Subpar Service of the Veterans Administration
Let’s be honest: For many years, the Veterans Administration didn’t offer the quality of care that veterans needed for mental health issues. While programs have long been in place, many did not know about them, and long wait times to see VA doctors were common. Additionally, many believe the programs offered by the VA were inadequate or inferior to programs available to others. The VA has come a long way in this regard, even if there is room for improvement.
What Is the Danger of Not Getting Help?
If a family member were struggling with shortness of breath, they would seek emergency care. Similarly, someone with diabetes would also get help for their condition. Like these health issues and others, mental health issues demand immediate care by the right medical professionals.
Like other health issues also, mental health issues will only worsen if left untreated. The progression might look like outward bursts of anger that evolve into violence, spiraling mental health problems, and then a psychotic break. In some situations, an untreated case of PTSD or another mental disorder can create career problems, substance abuse, and relationship issues. In the worst-case scenario, individuals with untreated mental health conditions can lash out with violence towards others and/or attempt suicide.
Treatment Continues to Be Lacking
Access to mental health treatment has limitations. Military veterans may see the VA as their only option for care, which is no longer the case. While in the past, many men and women only had access to health care through VA offices and hospitals, care has expanded to provide access to a larger number of providers. Tricare coverage is now more expansive, providing a wide range of treatment options beyond the actual VA.
Seeking Care from a Mental Health Rehabilitation Program
In addition to the VA, there are now many quality treatment options for vets. Many mental health treatment programs now specialize in treating veterans and their unique concerns, through intensive inpatient and outpatient care.
The benefits of seeking care outside of the VA for military professionals include:
- Potentially more immediate help in a mental health crisis
- Cutting-edge and more advanced treatment options, such as neurotherapies that target and restore specific areas of dysfunction
- Intensive inpatient and outpatient care
- Customized treatment plans for a wide range of needs
- Research-based methods of treatment, including medical integration, fitness and nutrition, and medication management
Every program is different, as are everyone’s needs. With the help of a specialized treatment program, veterans may be able to find a higher quality of care for their unique needs.
This type of care may now available through TRICARE, the military’s insurance plan. TRICARE policyholders can seek out care through a wide range of approved facilities, including FHE Health.
Help for Mental Health Needs in the Military
If you or a vet you love is battling mental health challenges, our trusted professionals at FHE Health are here to help in any way we can. Our specialized program for veterans and first responders pairs trauma-based therapies with peer support groups consisting of other members of the military and first responders. To learn more, call our compassionate counselors 24/7 at (833) 596-3502.
