Do you think that many veterans stay away from mental health care due to stigmatisation?

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 09:54:00 -0400

A recent study seems to think so ... What do you think?

Panel: Stigma is obstacle to mental health care
The Pentagon and VA have “nudged the needle” forward in promoting mental health treatment to troops and veterans but many still refuse to get care, concerned about stigma, their jobs and psychiatric medications, a panel of experts said Wednesday at a military and family symposium in Washington, D.C.

Negative perceptions of mental health conditions and treatment continue to keep troops and veterans from seeking care, but the issue is larger than just the stigma of a diagnosis; it is complicated by concerns over keeping their careers and not wanting to be medicated, panelists said.

“The government is trying really, really hard. [The continued problems] are not for lack of effort. Issues of mental health are hard to address. People don’t want to be seen as a weak link. Even if those who want to raise their hands for help say 'I don’t want to do this. I might not get deployed. I might not get that promotion,' " said retired Army Col. Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, now chief clinical officer at the D.C. Department of Mental Health.

Stigma regarding mental health conditions is not unique to the military; it's a national issue. But while the White House, community organizations and the Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs and Defense departments have embarked on national initiatives to make seeking treatment acceptable, the issues are so personal that it’s difficult to reach individuals, according to the panel.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Mark Graham, director of the veterans counseling hotline Vets4Warriors, became involved after a personal experience with a service member in crisis: His son, Kevin Graham, an Army ROTC student at the University of Kentucky, died by suicide in 2003. He had taken himself off Prozac before summer training to keep the Army from finding out about his mental illnesses.

Even at school, his roommates — who were his brother and his sister — were unaware he was on medication.

“We have got to get rid of this stigma," Graham said. "Kevin was embarrassed. And I didn’t know know you could die by being too sad.”

Another concern regarding treatment is fear of taking medication. Some antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs have side effects such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, lethargy and more, and troops are hesitant to take anything that affects their game.

But many patients can take medications without experiencing bad side effects and for some, the trade-offs are necessary, said Navy Capt. Michael Colston, director of mental health in the Clinical and Program Policy Office, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.

"There is a real reticence to take medication in this country, but medication can work, and it is something that can be done in the primary care setting," Colston said.

The number of first-time mental health diagnoses among active-duty members has risen steadily, from 132,079 in 2000 to 232,184 in 2012, according to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center.

And mental health diagnoses are the third most common diagnoses at VA behind musculoskeletal ailments and ill-defined conditions.

The government has quadrupled its mental health programs in the past six years. But it can do more, the experts said, to include promoting mental health care and understanding among primary care physicians, who can serve as liaisons between patients and mental health providers, promote community services and collaborate with community and private health organizations.

In the past year, the VA has reached out to organizations and foundations to bolster the mental health services provided to veterans.

That has not always been the case, VA Secretary Bob McDonald said Wednesday.

"We were pretty much a 'Kremlinesque' organization — we did not embrace strategic partners," he said. "Sometimes we saw people like the Home Base, the program run by the Boston Red Sox Foundation [which provides clinical care and services to veterans] as competition rather than force multipliers, so one of the first trips I took was to Boston to say 'We embrace you.' "

According to Colston, mental health treatment must become accepted by the mainstream, by leaders as well as the individuals who need it.

For the latter group, it's a harder sell, he acknowledged.

“Mental health care is health care. Just like the sergeant says, 'You got a rash on your arm, go to the doc,' they should say, 'Go get that depression treated.' As for the self-stigma, we need to do research on that to determine how to fix it," Colston said.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/health-care/2015/09/10/panel-stigma-obstacle-mental-health-care/72013618/

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Sep 11 at 2015 9:55 AM

CPO Joseph Grant — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 09:55:03 -0400

Yes. I hate being in the psych area.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 11 at 2015 9:55 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 09:55:36 -0400

Yes they do... our society does not fully understand mental illness

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 10:02 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 10:02:27 -0400

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. , Unfortunately this happens in many cases. Awareness and support are the keys to changing the way society views this matter.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 11 at 2015 11:02 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 11:02:06 -0400

Absolutely - and the other factor is what I call "Huah Huah three bags full" - the military mentality of toughing it out at all costs; usually those costs are too high though...

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 11 at 2015 11:18 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 11:18:38 -0400

Yes. A man would have to be crazy to see a shrink.

Response by MAJ Jack Horn, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, CCTP, CCTP-II, CCFP, CDBT made Sep 11 at 2015 11:27 AM

MAJ Jack Horn, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, CCTP, CCTP-II, CCFP, CDBT — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 11:27:14 -0400

Mental Health care is not precisely like other types of health care. First, in my experience, both personally (anecdotally) and as a mental health professional, what I have both heard and seen is a lack of trust and confidence in the provider, especially for non-veteran mental health providers. There is the feeling that the counselor doesn't understand or "get" the military and, consequently, they fail to estabish the necessary therapeutic alliance. Mental health treatment is 70% or more about relationship, wherein is the major difference between mental health and physical health tretment. You don't simply just drop in the clinic for a "shot" of anti-depressant therapy as you would for a flu shot. Without the relationship, there won't be healing. I don't doubt that stigma is an additional complicating factor, but it ain't gonna work if the client and provider don't "click" and, in my observation and experience, not only is DoD and VA critically short of providers, the ones they have are the wrong "flavor." To top it all off, they make it more and more difficult for the right "flavor" of treatment providers to work with them. No incentives, no internship opportunities, no academic or tuition assistance for veterans to get licensed and certified. Go figure.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 11 at 2015 12:50 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:50:26 -0400

They are afraid of the stigma, afraid of who they have become, and are afraid that nobody can help them.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 11 at 2015 12:56 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:56:38 -0400

Yes

Response by SGT Jonathon Caldwell made Sep 11 at 2015 4:01 PM

SGT Jonathon Caldwell — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 16:01:13 -0400

For sure

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 12 at 2015 2:16 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 02:16:06 -0400

I know that I've stayed away from mental health care since I fear that it will prevent me from owning guns and maintaining my security clearance.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 16 at 2015 9:19 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 21:19:55 -0500

There is a great fear that PTSD will end a career.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Nov 17 at 2015 8:29 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 08:29:47 -0500

YES,
Did not think this was even a question anymore, just a fact known to be true

Response by SFC Arthur Morgan made Nov 10 at 2017 7:25 PM

SFC Arthur Morgan — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 19:25:44 -0500

Was blessed to retire after Storm/prior Bosnia, so some have expressed, "You can't relate." Yes, I've been retired over 20yrs, but I still all these years later I still think like an NCO. Had a young Corporal come to work where I did and he confided, in me. What he would not tell VA. Feared them.

Response by SFC James Welch made Jun 23 at 2019 9:52 AM

SFC James Welch — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 09:52:41 -0400

The first question they ask at the VA is, are you planning to hurt yourself?

Response by 1SG Mitchell Smith made Jul 28 at 2019 9:42 PM

1SG Mitchell Smith — Sun, 28 Jul 2019 21:42:44 -0400

It makes you think about going to see the Doc; however, upon retiring or ETSing you can bet your butt you're happy you did when you file for your VA benefits....without proof your just a number.

Response by SGT Andrew Brooks made Aug 18 at 2019 10:47 AM

SGT Andrew Brooks — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 10:47:39 -0400

It is more likely based in the nature of PTS, which involves elements of fear escalated towards paranoia. Paranoid feelings inhibit the ability to trust, and a person will find it extremely difficult to seek help from others when they cannot feel that they can trust others to help. This can also be expressed as feelings of having a weakness when surrounded by those who seem normal (stronger) and therefore feeling that others could potentially be a danger if they exposed their (feelings of) weakness.

Response by SPC Joe Weiss made Aug 18 at 2019 2:47 PM

SPC Joe Weiss — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 14:47:44 -0400

Stigma is a society wide issue. People are not encouraged enough to get the help they need until it is too late.

Response by SPC Jason Hamilton made Sep 13 at 2019 3:56 PM

SPC Jason Hamilton — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 15:56:16 -0400

For me it's not about the stigma as much as the legal ramifications of not being able to own firearms, keep a security clearance or work in security.

Response by TSgt Wayne Johnson made Oct 27 at 2019 2:30 PM

TSgt Wayne Johnson — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 14:30:51 -0400

Not only will it end a career, but make you loose your right to buy and own guns.

Response by CPO Paul Larsien made Nov 15 at 2019 7:40 PM

CPO Paul Larsien — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 19:40:41 -0500

It is not so much the stigma, but the real danger of our Government using this issue against us. The minute you are treated for a mental health problem, it is documented. Congress has already suggested that "mental illness" can be disqualifying for a myriad of jobs, and certifications and liscenses. But who dictates where a psychological issue becomes a mental illness? The danger is in how little most people know about mental illness and mental conditions. When the word "mental" arises, people flinch!

CPO Paul Larsien

Response by PO1 Frank Washek made Jan 9 at 2020 2:54 PM

PO1 Frank Washek — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:54:14 -0500

I think most vets avoid the mental health care system, offered by the VA, is due to the carousel of Resident Doctors and therapists assigned to the vet. It’s difficult to rebuild the rapport and trust with a new therapist or Dr. Who wants to retell and relive their story every few months.

Response by A1C Thomas Ilsley Jr made Jan 31 at 2020 10:00 PM

A1C Thomas Ilsley Jr — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 22:00:48 -0500

Yes & knowledge about loss of civil rights.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Apr 26 at 2020 1:00 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 01:00:40 -0400

I think its less about the stigma than not being allowed to do things they have been doing duty wise because now they get labeled a risk to themselves and others which may no even be true at all. Seeking help is often viewed as an end to Your career and therefore many won't even consider taking that step and often that is exactly what does happen. When I look at the so called mental health experts I'm not so sure some of them are wrapped all that tight themselves. My 40 years of Law Enforcement, both military and civilian I've found a lot of these people are such experts they have even messed up their own children almost beyond repair. Most of those cleared up their issues by getting away from the Mental Health expert parent. I've even had one Mental Health Doctors tell Me that 85% of the people in His own profession entered to find our what was wrong with themselves. Life is a series of ups and downs anyway, that's what life is about.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 26 at 2020 6:03 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 06:03:35 -0400

IMHO, yes, they think it will make them look weak.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Apr 26 at 2020 7:07 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 07:07:49 -0400

Its stupid to have to fill in a form which the doctor doesn't read before you see him.
NO, I don't.
They say clearly you only have to do them every 6 months unless something's changed - for the doctor...
Its irritating to show up at a meeting where you have to fill-out the same form EVERY DAY for a week.
You think with all those computers they would have someone hired to scan them into the *OCR Computer.
.
*Optical Character Recognition, or OCR, is a technology that enables you to convert different types of documents, such as scanned paper documents, PDF files or images captured by a digital camera into editable and searchable data.

Response by SGT James Murphy made Apr 26 at 2020 2:47 PM

SGT James Murphy — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:47:51 -0400

I never did and I'm glad for it. I had issues with a car accident I was responsible for and we got that cleared up almost immediately. So I do highly recommending anyone who feels they have issues of any kind should at least give it serious consideration. https://youtu.be/WISFFhU9hVc

Timothy Leary - Nice Dreams

Timothy Leary in Cheech and Chong's "Nice Dreams"

Response by CPO Arthur Weinberger made Apr 26 at 2020 3:02 PM

CPO Arthur Weinberger — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 15:02:37 -0400

I refused to get care for many years. After going to meetings with others suffering from PTSD and other mental health conditions; some other vets did likewise. I am sure certain that many persons with these conditions will not put their condition on a resume. Some firms will not hire you if they are aware of any such problems. Some people are concerned about what others think of them or might say.

Response by CPO Arthur Weinberger made Apr 26 at 2020 3:05 PM

CPO Arthur Weinberger — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 15:05:27 -0400

It is a shame that E-7 is allowed to be overweight as in the above picture.

Response by SPC Robert Lefebvre made Apr 26 at 2020 5:33 PM

SPC Robert Lefebvre — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 17:33:46 -0400

I believt that is true, it's the way i feel as well. When you couple that with finding an appropriate counselor or Psych. it becomes increasingly problematic to get back on track!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2020 11:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 23:19:05 -0400

What kind of question is this lol? Veterans are more likely to seek mental health care compared to active service members. So no, I don’t believe so

Response by PFC Lisa Scott made Jul 16 at 2020 1:09 AM

PFC Lisa Scott — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 01:09:09 -0400

Stigma and lack of comprehensive services, no matter how many new rules and regulations. They dont get it and probably never will.
-How many more suicides/shootings before they get it right?

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Nov 8 at 2020 12:29 AM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 00:29:07 -0500

Yes, for fear of losing a job or people treating them different. John Miller has some great comments [below].