Want to admit myself into a mental health clinic, but would it ruin my career?

2020-07-13T11:27:06-04:00

To keep things short, lately I’ve been struggling with mental health. I’ve been having consistent thoughts of suicide and harming myself. I feel like the safest thing for me would be to admit myself but I’m scared that would ruin my career in the military. I’m in the national guard and don’t plan on re enlisting but I don’t want to destroy it or be discharged. If I get discharged for mental heath would it be dishonorable?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 13 at 2020 11:30 AM

2020-07-13T11:30:09-04:00

I have responded in kind before: the phone number for The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, is as follows: 1-(800)-273=8255.
Press, please, the number one; for Active Duty troops; and, for Veterans. PFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 13 at 2020 11:30 AM

2020-07-13T11:30:26-04:00

Hi Aiyime,
It sounds like you’re having a hard time right now. We encourage you to check out this page to get connected to professional online support & in-person resources near you.

https://www.rallypoint.com/emergency-support

RallyPoint - The Military Network

Find service members and veterans like you, discuss military life, and share professional opportunities on the largest military network.

Response by CPT David Gowel made Jul 13 at 2020 11:34 AM

2020-07-13T11:34:06-04:00

Aiyime- I'm sorry to hear you are feeling this way. I think your instinct to reach out for help is the right one and you should follow that instinct. There are professionals that work with people feeling similar to what you describe and I bet you'll feel much better when you have them on your team.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2020 11:37 AM

2020-07-13T11:37:46-04:00

Here is the thing. No Commander worth their weight would ever recommend discharge automatically just for you seeking mental help. That being said...when you do go seek help, naturally there will be an evaluation. And based on that evaluation, the mental health professional could very well make the recommendation to have you face a PEB/MEB. If that happens, and based on how the PEB/MEB could go, you may get medically discharged. You would not and should not receive a Dishonorable Discharge. The worst type of discharge I have seen was a General Under Honorable. But the norm is Honorable.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jul 13 at 2020 11:56 AM

2020-07-13T11:56:30-04:00

You need to worry about your health and life 100% before worrying about your career right now. Get the help you need first, and worry about your discharge type second. However, this will almost certainly mean the end of your service. But as long as you do it the right way, you'll likely get an Honorable Discharge and won't have to feel as though you "fucked up your service" just because you had medical issues.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 13 at 2020 1:07 PM

2020-07-13T13:07:50-04:00

PFC Private RallyPoint Member Get the help you want and need. The rest will take care of itself. Remember, never make a permanent solution to a temporary situation. FWIW, I had a sailor that was having issues. Went with him to mental health, got him the help he needed, and he stayed in fore another 10 years and retired. So, if you go in to get help proactively, it is much better. Let your Chain of Command know what is going on, you will be surprised how much most of them will bend over to help you out.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2020 1:08 PM

2020-07-13T13:08:02-04:00

Go get help. The very worst that could possibly happen if you do is you go to a medical eval board and get medically discharged. If your character of service has been good in all other respects you will almost assuredly get an honorable discharge. The worst I have ever seen anyone get is a General under honorable conditions, unless they didn't seek help and allowed their issue to negatively impact their service. There is no shame in admitting you need help. It takes courage to face your problems and deal with them in a productive manner. Call a professional ASAP! It may be something as simple as a chemical imbalance that is easily treated with medication and would allow you to continue your service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2020 2:13 PM

2020-07-13T14:13:52-04:00

Nothing negative can occur from seeking behavioral health help. As someone who has been to BH and sought the help I needed, I am doing better than ever. I can tell you from experience, your career will not be negatively impacted. I would refer you to my Command Post about this topic. https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/are-you-doing-enough-to-ensure-your-mental-behavioral-health-is-being-adequately-maintained

Are you doing enough to ensure your Mental/Behavioral health is being adequately maintained? |...

Behavioral health remains the most challenging factor of actively serving and separated members of the U.S. Military leading to the nationally recognized campaigns actively seeking to quell the 22 veteran suicides a day. The question that needs to be asked is “Can we do more?” During my time serving this wonderful country, I have attended the memorial services of four close individuals that I had the pleasure of working with. I have since...

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Jul 13 at 2020 5:17 PM

2020-07-13T17:17:26-04:00

Seek help and let the chips fall where they may. Your career is irrelevant if you take your own life. Effective help will give you a better future in or out of the military

Response by MAJ John Lavin made Jul 13 at 2020 9:38 PM

2020-07-13T21:38:05-04:00

If you think you need mental health services, please stop worrying about the effects seeking help will be on anything except how the mental health services will help you. Please seek the help you need now because tomorrow may be too late. Thoughts of suicide means you have reached a real crisis point and you need help now, not later. So please pick up a phone and call 911 or 411 if this number is available to you and tell who ever answers that you need help now and let them assist you from there. You asked for help with your post, which is the big step. So please call for help now.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Jul 14 at 2020 3:55 PM

2020-07-14T15:55:11-04:00

If you need help, get it. If you have no intention to stay in what does it matter about your career? The important thing is for you to get help immediately.

Response by Sgt David Johns made Jul 23 at 2020 7:50 AM

2020-07-23T07:50:21-04:00

What you have been suffering from is highly treatable. Go for help. The first contact with a mental health professional is the first step to a much more enlightened and resourceful life. Be a lifer whether in military or not. Let us know what you did and how you feel. We care!

Response by Core Civ made Jul 23 at 2020 12:23 PM

2020-07-23T12:23:46-04:00

Sorry to hear. Hope you are getting the help you need. There are probably a lot of discretionary resources out there too.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Jul 23 at 2020 4:36 PM

2020-07-23T16:36:16-04:00

Go to sick call. They will give you a psych consult. Go to your appointment and ask them. We don’t know the extent or cause of your issues. I’m sure you’re not going to get a diagnosis here.

Response by A1C Jordan Brenner made Aug 1 at 2020 7:02 AM

2020-08-01T07:02:25-04:00

Go to a private doctor, not from someone in the military, you WILL be flagged. Good luck.

Response by SN Zachary Ferrell made Oct 29 at 2020 2:01 PM

2020-10-29T14:01:58-04:00

It sounds like you've got a hard time.