Understanding Mental Health

Our military and veterans are afraid of being labeled with a mental health problem. This results in them also being afraid to seek medical help. Part of the reason for negative attitudes and behavior towards mental illness is a lack of knowledge and fear of the unknown. Anyone can experience mental illness—it’s more common than we think. So it’s important to try to gain a better understanding of it.

Unfortunately our military returning home are often given the label of PTSD, and that stigma leads to discrimination from friends, family, employers and the community as a whole. Sometimes the disadvantages and isolation they feel can be very disabling. The stigma can lead to being:

1. Denied housing or accommodation

2. Refused employment

3. Discriminated against in the work place

4. Shunned or excluded from family or friendship groups

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Those experiencing the mental illness stigma may feel isolated which can lead to a loss of hope and actually cause a mental illness. They may not want to talk about what they did in the service. One of the reasons for not talking is that life in the military is so different than that in civilian life that they more often feel that we cannot understand that lifestyle. They are all under control of those of higher rank. If they refuse to do what they are told to do they will be punished. This is particularly important to understand that they can be sent into combat and if they refuse they will be either put in jail or dishonorably discharged.

If they are willing to communicate with you, it’s important to:

• be there, listen and be non-judgmental

• Choose the right time and place to approach the issue

• Acknowledge what the person is sharing—don’t brush it off

• Give the person any information you have on available resources or support

It is very important that we treat our military and veterans as those who are and were willing to give up their lives for our freedom. This is practically true now as they all volunteered to enter the military. The draft ended in 1973. Many enlisted in the military after 9/11.