Posted on Apr 20, 2022
The Navy Is Deputizing Doctors to Enforce Drug Rules Even for Those Seeking Mental Health Help
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In the wake of reports that a Navy psychologist played an active role in convicting for drug use a sailor who had reached out for mental health assistance, the service is standing by its policy, which does not provide patients with confidentiality and could mean that seeking help has consequences for service members.
The case highlights a set of military regulations that, in vaguely defined circumstances, requires doctors to inform commanding officers of certain medical details, including drug tests, even if those tests are conducted for legitimate medical reasons necessary for adequate care. Allowing punishment when service members are looking for help could act as a deterrent in a community where mental health is still a taboo topic among many, despite recent leadership attempts to more openly discuss getting assistance.
The case highlights a set of military regulations that, in vaguely defined circumstances, requires doctors to inform commanding officers of certain medical details, including drug tests, even if those tests are conducted for legitimate medical reasons necessary for adequate care. Allowing punishment when service members are looking for help could act as a deterrent in a community where mental health is still a taboo topic among many, despite recent leadership attempts to more openly discuss getting assistance.
The Navy Is Deputizing Doctors to Enforce Drug Rules Even for Those Seeking Mental Health Help
Posted from military.com
Drugs
Mental Health
Physician
Health
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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They need to be able to differentiate between someone that is looking to get buzzed, and those that are seeking true help Lt Col Charlie Brown
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I hope that psychologist is proud of herself. She's should be helping them in confidence to get better and not helping to get them convicted. I am sure that her days as a psychologist on that Naval Base are limited because once the word gets around they will not be using her.
I know I wouldn't.
I know I wouldn't.
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The Navy: "We need to do something about our sailor's mental health and suicide issues."
Also the Navy: "Let's weaponize mental health care and use it as a basis to kick sailors out"
Also the Navy: "Let's weaponize mental health care and use it as a basis to kick sailors out"
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SFC Casey O'Mally
MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi For the majority of us, that distinction is non-existent. We go to BOTH for help with our mental health. The fact that EITHER would not only be willing to - but required by policy to - violate trust in this manner casts a pall over the entire apparatus. Including the increasingly used Social Workers in therapist roles, who, I understand, do not have the same level of confidentiality, legally speaking. But I could be wrong, there.
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