Military lessens stigma of mental health counseling

I asked my husband and some of his military friends whether they would seek mental health counseling. Ninety-nine percent, including hubby, answered with a resounding “no” — regardless of the issue. 

I know there are many individuals who are willing to consult a mental health professional. But military men and women don’t willingly pick up the phone and ask for a referral to a psychologist or counselor. 

Seeking help this way is perceived as weak — and worse, as harmful to their careers. 

It’s not a simple issue. The military culture requires men and women to act “tough.” By this, I mean to keep fear at bay in life-threatening situations; to place country and honor first, beyond their safety and their desire to be home; to live in dangerous war zones for months at a time with the concrete possibility that they may lose their lives; to see death and cruelties on a daily basis. 

Our military has to do the job — no matter the cost — because we depend on them. 

It’s not surprising that with this amount of pressure, someone in this group may be reluctant to admit that they are struggling with an issue or that they need help.  

But when we deal with trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and the many anxiety-related disturbances that afflict those who served

in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, seeking mental help becomes fundamental, if not imperative, to continue functioning. 

Changes come about slowly, but society and our leaders realize the importance of this issue. 

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently announced a new policy that should encourage, or at least make it less difficult, for troops to seek mental health counseling. 

The change specifically relates to Question 21, required by the Office of Personnel Management for security clearances. Presently, military men and women are asked if they sought mental health counseling in the last seven years, and if so, they are required to provide names, addresses and dates of service. The question should be amended in a way that will make it possible not to reveal all of the mental health counseling received. 

This is one of the many initiatives aimed at encouraging service men and women to seek help. Last year, the Army held special

sessions to teach soldiers how to recognize concussions and mental health problems in themselves and their friends. 

The Navy and the Army have increased the number of mental health professionals and made them available at primary care centers so that those seeking help don’t have to go through a long referral process. 

Navy Surgeon General Vice Admiral Adam Robinson explained that, “If we embed mental health professionals with our men and women on a daily basis, stigma goes down.” 

I know that a shift in our perception of mental health will take time, but it will eventually happen. 

I recently spoke with my husband, who is currently deployed, and told him that I went to a workshop presented by my psychologist called, “Illuminating the Shadow.” It was for women, and we cried, shared personal issues and got in touch with our dark sides. 

I told hubby that the next workshop will be open to men, and he half-jokingly told me that he couldn’t think of anything more painful than to sit and talk about “emotions” with a bunch of strangers. 

I have a sense that even my husband will change his mind. With five daughters, he will have lots of emotions to deal with. 

Anita Doberman is a freelance writer, mother of five and wife of an Air Force pilot stationed at Hurlburt AFB in Florida. Contact her at: anita@anitadoberman.com