Veterans Day: Military Members & Mental Health
The MIND 24-7 Team | November 11, 2022
Whether it’s in uniform or in the community, veterans act as leaders and role models. Though for some veterans, returning home and readjusting to civilian life can be difficult. The impact of deployment and trauma-related stress can stick with you beyond the battlefield and affects not only veterans but also their loved ones that support them.
Despite the higher risk of a mental health condition, many veterans are hesitant or unwilling to seek or receive behavioral health treatment for fear of discrimination or discomfort in asking for help. As leaders and role models, veterans overcoming the stigma of mental health and seeking treatment can have positive impacts on the entire community and convince peers to get the help they need.
“Everyone needs help sometimes, even the strongest among us,” said Dr. John Lee, DO, PharmD, National Medical Director at MIND 24-7. “It’s especially important for veterans to access these mental health resources because the tools for managing your mental health during deployment are often different from tools that will help you manage mental health at home”
About 1 in 4 active-duty service members showed signs of a mental health condition and the rate of PTSD is estimated to be 15 times higher than civilians. Here are a few tips that can help when struggling with PTSD:
First, Prepare ahead of time for insensitive questions or topics of conversation. You don’t need to tell anyone about your experiences unless you want to. Practice how to respond or respectfully decline to answer.
Second, since time has passed, your new social role might not be identical to your role before serving, so take time to reconnect with family and friends and adjust to new dynamics.
Finally, recognize that you will feel frustrated sometimes while returning to civilian life, but frustration is normal during this transition and means your mental resilience is improving.
If you or a loved one is struggling, here are some support resources for Veterans seeking mental health services:
- 24-Hour Veteran’s Crisis Support Line
- Service Members, Veterans & Families Technical Assistance (SMVF TA) Center
- Veterans Affairs – Mental Health Resources
- NAMI – Veterans & Active Duty
Returning to civilian life can be a time of joy, but also a time of emotional upheaval. Your experiences in the service may have changed the way you look at life. You may have new abilities, new friendships, or new concerns. Remember that readjusting takes time. Give yourself opportunities to maintain your mental health during this transition.
Located in the Greater Phoenix area?
If you or a loved one is ready to make the step to in-person treatment, our MIND 24-7 Mesa facility accepts adults and is an open door to mental health care, around the clock. Be seen in about 15 minutes by a clinical professional 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no need for an appointment. Our Phoenix North-West location has adult services coming soon as well.
Our mission is to be there for you or the one you love at the time of need, regardless of your ability to pay – around the clock. Text or call 844-646-3247 or just WALK IN THE DOOR at one of our three Arizona locations to discuss your options with one of our clinical team members.
COMING SOON TO A CITY NEAR YOU!