Stigma Prevents Military Members from Seeking Mental Health Care

(ARA) - American service men and women put their lives on the line everyday to keep our nation safe. This testament to bravery requires the utmost physical and mental conditioning and sharpness at all times. A recent survey by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) showed that stigma still prevents soldiers from receiving the mental health care that they need. The survey found that about half of military members (53 percent) believe that others will think less of them if they seek help for mental health concerns.

"Our research showed that more than three out of five military members (61 percent) think that seeking help for mental health concerns would have at least some negative impact on their career. Over a quarter (28 percent) think it would have a moderate or a great deal of impact," says Dr. Carolyn Robinowitz, APA past-president. "While leaders within the Department of Defense are working to change this situation, we clearly still have a lot of work to do."

In addition to the mental health effects that war has on service men and women, family members also feel the impact. While survey respondents generally rated their overall mental health as good or excellent (including 71 percent of military members and 75 percent of military spouses), many report regularly experiencing common mental health issues. This includes nearly half (48 percent) that report difficulty sleeping at least twice a week and about a third (34 percent) that report a lack of interest in daily activities at least twice a week. The majority of spouses also reported stress from handling domestic issues alone (60 percent) and single parenting (54 percent).

"It's important to remember that the mental health trials that service members experience can have a ripple effect throughout their immediate family while they are serving and upon their return home," Robinowitz says. "It's also very important that everyone involved understand that mental illnesses are real -- and they're treatable."

There are a variety of things military members and spouses can do to understand the warning signs of and treatment options for mental health issues including:

* Talking with someone in their "network of care" (e.g., primary care physician, religious leader, or friends and family) about what they are going through.

* Utilizing online resources to learn about common mental health issues associated with serving in a war zone and their symptoms.

* Discussing their concerns with a psychiatrist or other mental health care professional.

To learn more about mental health issues, including those most prevalent among military members, visit the American Psychiatric Association's Web site at www.HealthyMinds.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent