Maintaining Mental Wellness While in the Military
It's no surprise that war and conflict can lead to unique and significant mental health challenges for the service men and women protecting our country. An unfortunate and increasing number of military personnel are returning from deployment with conditions such as post-traumatic stress and substance abuse disorders, yet some reports estimate that only half of those who need treatment seek it despite a variety of resources available from the military and other organizations. Historically high suicide rates among active duty service members have also called attention to the mental health challenges that service members face while on duty.
"Excellent behavioral health resources are available to members of the military, but we have to do more to raise awareness that help is available and to reduce the stigma around seeking behavioral health support.
May is both National Mental Health Awareness Month and National Military Appreciation Month, and Magellan Health Services has launched an initiative called Take Mental Health To Heart, in conjunction with the National Military Family Association and Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc., to raise awareness about mental wellness topics impacting Americans. In its inaugural year, the initiative highlights the distinct and complex mental wellness issues that specifically affect the military community by striving to create an understanding of the military population's challenges, while working to combat the stigma that too often accompanies mental illness.
Mental Wellness On Duty
The military has made many advances in how it prepares our service men and women for the mental wellness challenges they may face on duty. Excellent resources are available that support the entire military community, including both service members and their families. Everyone needs help from time to time in order to manage day-to-day stressors, anxiety, the separation from family and normal routines, and more serious traumatic events.
"Mental health issues can! develop more gradually and subtly than other, physical injuries or illnesses, making them easy to miss or ignore, but without support or treatment they can develop into very serious conditions, significantly impacting the individual and their loved ones, said Anthony Kotin, M.D., chief medical officer at Magellan Health Services. "Excellent behavioral health resources are available to members of the military, but we have to do more to raise awareness that help is available and to reduce the stigma around seeking behavioral health support.
When confronting stress and anxiety on duty:
"Excellent behavioral health resources are available to members of the military, but we have to do more to raise awareness that help is available and to reduce the stigma around seeking behavioral health support.
May is both National Mental Health Awareness Month and National Military Appreciation Month, and Magellan Health Services has launched an initiative called Take Mental Health To Heart, in conjunction with the National Military Family Association and Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc., to raise awareness about mental wellness topics impacting Americans. In its inaugural year, the initiative highlights the distinct and complex mental wellness issues that specifically affect the military community by striving to create an understanding of the military population's challenges, while working to combat the stigma that too often accompanies mental illness.
Mental Wellness On Duty
The military has made many advances in how it prepares our service men and women for the mental wellness challenges they may face on duty. Excellent resources are available that support the entire military community, including both service members and their families. Everyone needs help from time to time in order to manage day-to-day stressors, anxiety, the separation from family and normal routines, and more serious traumatic events.
"Mental health issues can! develop more gradually and subtly than other, physical injuries or illnesses, making them easy to miss or ignore, but without support or treatment they can develop into very serious conditions, significantly impacting the individual and their loved ones, said Anthony Kotin, M.D., chief medical officer at Magellan Health Services. "Excellent behavioral health resources are available to members of the military, but we have to do more to raise awareness that help is available and to reduce the stigma around seeking behavioral health support.
When confronting stress and anxiety on duty:
- Find your "go-to solution. Understand what you find to be most calming, such as meditation, listening to music or exercising and use these tools at appropriate times to help release tension.
- Monitor your mind and body. Recognize changes in your mood, feelings of hopelessness and sadness, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy or even physical symptoms such as fatigue or insomnia. These may be signs of depression and you'll want to seek support.
- Maintain physical fitness and diet. Whenever possible, make healthy food choices, don't skip meals, limit caffeine after lunchtime and avoid nicotine and alcohol. Regular exercise can also help lower stress levels, in addition to other techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, or meditation.
- Take advantage of your resources. Turn to family, friends, a chaplain, counselor or other resources. Sometimes talking about things is the best way to confront, understand and cope with them. If you're not ready to open up to another person, consider keeping a journal or writing down a few thoughts, which might help you identify what's bothering you and address it.
- Remove all weapons from the area.
- Seek immediate help from emergency medica! l person nel, a counselor, chaplain or even a friend who can arrange assistance.
- Find treatment options and stay committed to the treatment plan after the immediate danger has passed.
