Physical and mental health are equally important components of overall health. There is no single cause of mental illness and there are several risk factors. It is estimated that 1 in 5 American adults will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Nearly 1 in 4 active duty service members showed signs of a mental health condition (JAMA Psychiatry, 2014). Among active duty troops, mental health-related appointments accounted for approximately 16% of all military medical appointments (DoD, 2018). A higher prevalence of emotional and behavioral difficulties was found among children from military families aged 11 to 17 years compared to their peers in the general population. Many people with mental health problems do not seek treatment, including military personnel. Below are the strategies and resources available.
TIPS AND STRATEGIES TO HELP:
Take a self-assessment daily. How are you? Do you feel stressed, upset, detached, closed, or isolated? Have your eating or sleeping patterns changed?
Do not forget to consult your child, family member or co-workers. Be on the lookout for any negative changes in their behavior, appearance, or mood. Ex: increased irritability, unkempt, self-isolated appearance, increased tardiness or calls outside of work.
At home or in the workplace, create an open environment for help-seeking behavior.
Don’t minimize, ridicule, or gossip about a person’s mental health problems.
Provide support, reassurance, and encouragement.
Identify resources available through your employee assistance program, community mental health providers, or school counselors / psychologists.
Feel free to seek help for yourself or encourage others to do so, if necessary.
Asking for help takes courage and is not a sign of weakness. Take the first step!
RESOURCES:
• National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• The Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741
• NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800-950-6264)
• Disaster Help Line: 1-800-985-5990
• Dial 211- visit 211.org if you need help finding food, paying your housing bills
access free child care or other essential services.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
• National Parent Helpline: 1-855-4A Parent (1-855-427-2736)
MILITARY AND VETERAN RESOURCES:
• Military One Source: Provides materials and information about programs for military personnel and their families.
http://www.militaryonesource.mil
Toll Free: 1-800-342-9647
TTY / TTD: Dial 711 and provide the toll free number 1-800-342-9647
• Veterans (VA) Crisis Line: Call 800-273-8255 or text 838255
• Department of Defense / VA Suicide Outreach: http://www.suicideoutreach.org
• Parenting2Go App – Helps Veterans and Service Members reconnect with their children and provides convenient tools to strengthen parenting skills.
RESOURCES AA / NA:
• Alcoholics Anonymous web address: aa.org
• Narcotics Anonymous World Services web address: na.org
• InTheRooms.com: Live AA / NA online meetings
MENTAL HEALTH SMARTPHONE APPS:
Moving Forward application
Life Armor App
Breathe2Relax App
Copyright 2021, Felecia D. Sheffield, PhD., All rights reserved in all media.