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

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.