What are the stigmas attached to veterans seeking mental health counseling?

2017-10-01T12:06:11-04:00

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 1 at 2017 12:13 PM

2017-10-01T12:13:05-04:00

There are some who fear veterans. For as much as they appreciate veterans who have killed for them, they fear the return of the "killer". Fortunately, most people are too stupid to make the connection. After all, would civilians have tormented returning Vietnam Vets as they did if they actually took a moment to think about the potential consequences of tormenting people they considered to be murderers? Maybe. Maybe they felt safe in the midst of a like-thinking mob. Now, if that veteran is seeking mental health counseling, what are they to suppose?

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Oct 1 at 2017 12:51 PM

2017-10-01T12:51:47-04:00

I believe that with veterans the stigma is less than it once was. I know for a fact there were vets walking around for years and years, knowing something was wrong, but not able to fix it or even address it.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 1 at 2017 12:52 PM

2017-10-01T12:52:36-04:00

IMHO a lot of vets don't like to seek help for mental issues. They see it as a weakness.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Oct 1 at 2017 2:56 PM

2017-10-01T14:56:31-04:00

Counselors are very judgemental people. CPT Morgan and J Daniels are not.

I say this with a half hearted laugh, but we all know someone like this.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2017 11:11 PM

2017-10-01T23:11:49-04:00

I see those that seek mental health treatment in any form as responsible service members. if you recognize your mental state may have a negative effect on your team and you seek counsel, i applaud you. this is how we stay sharp when need be.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2017 11:38 AM

2017-10-03T11:38:58-04:00

I really didn't think I changed much after returning from Iraq. I didn't think I needed any sort of counseling. My wife, after my first year back told me "get help or I'm leaving". Having such a close bond with her over 20 years at that point, and the possibility of losing my family, I went and got help. I'm a better man today because of it. Does getting help make me feel weak? In my opinion, no. It takes a stronger person to recognize they need help. In my case, after a year home, I realized I had to do something and I did.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Oct 3 at 2017 2:47 PM

2017-10-03T14:47:57-04:00

As for active duty, there shouldn't be, however there are circumstances that might make someone hesitant to do so. First is divorce proceedings. If you're going through a bitter divorce, it might be used as ammunition against you, particularly if children are involved. Another is for potential civilian employment in public trust positions. Any perceived mental instability might preclude you from a career in law enforcement. Lastly security clearances are fickle. Psychological difficulties might stop you from receiving a clearance.

Response by AA Joseph Moody made Oct 3 at 2017 7:18 PM

2017-10-03T19:18:20-04:00

Personally my advice is that if you need help, that you should go out and find a shrinker and pay out of pocket for it. If you are a federal employee it will flag you if your bluecross is getting charged by a shrink ( I got a real fun story on that one, it starts with seeing a shrink to get some drama sorted and ends with a 5 year blackball by my command)
If you are enlisted...I've heard stories on more than one occasion about on base and well meaning shrinks having a conflict of interest between their patient and the command, so if you are enlisted I would suggest paying out of pocket as well and finding a shrink who has no such conflict of interest.

I'm going to say that 60% of the people out there don't care if you are seeing a shrink, but when mass shootings happen well...it raises anxieties and people do funny things when anxieties are raised. People will start talking, people will start to read things into even the slightest of outbursts, and from there it is a matter of the rumor mill, because unfortunately people also like to talk and the more sensational the story the better.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2017 2:30 PM

2017-10-05T14:30:53-04:00

It depends on the reason for seeking mental health help.

1) seeking help because you are psychotic, and aliens are telling you to kidnap the Pope= the same stigma as any other crazy person.

2) seeking help for PTSD has no stigma at all, the majority of Soldiers returning from CENTCOM have already done so.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Oct 26 at 2017 3:56 PM

2017-10-26T15:56:13-04:00

Capt Ross Nussbaum: My father phoned the Chaplain; while I was in the Army: to let the Chaplain know that I had been having some mental health issues. Papa knew that if he phoned an Army psychiatrist, I might get discharged from the Army. -Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Oct 26 at 2017 4:09 PM

2017-10-26T16:09:52-04:00

Because unfortunately once you have that rose pinned to you, it's scent carries long after and across careers.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Oct 26 at 2017 4:51 PM

2017-10-26T16:51:33-04:00

Some people automatically label a veteran as crazy after serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 24 at 2018 8:14 PM

2018-05-24T20:14:13-04:00

Damn Sir, for 200 yrs we were taught to MAN up, don't wimp out, don't fake. Any mental problems were a sure way to lose security clearances, duty positions, promotions, etc. It's a lot better now, but you still 9 out of 10 times have to go see a civilian shrink- makes you uncomfortable, doesn't seem to understand, and often has a hard time keeping their composure when you are baring your soul to them. You are talking incidents, with blood, gore and mayhem in a matter of fact way, while these pogues seldom if ever even look at an accident scene. It is damn tough to talk to anyone but other Vets about your problems and how it affects you, and it takes a long time to get in that mode. Plus you still have Hollywood going on about Vets w/PTSD flipping out in the "Normal" population.