The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that the age-and-gender adjusted suicide rate among U.S. veterans is more than 57% higher than the age-and-gender adjusted rate among civilians. Meanwhile, current data from the United Service Organizations (USO) finds that military suicide rates are four times higher than deaths that occurred during military operations. Yes, U.S. servicepersons today are more likely to die by their own hand than when serving in war-torn countries. If that doesn’t send shockwaves among the populous, what will?
While suicidality (risk of suicide), suicidal ideation, the act of taking one’s life are the most disturbing, veterans also return from service to other severe outcomes. Statistics from the Council on Criminal Justice indicate that approximately 31% of veterans are arrested for criminal acts at some point in their lives, compared to 18% of non-veterans. All of this boils down to a long list of mental and behavioral health issues that both active and retired military personnel struggle with. Common concerns and approximate rates among military members are as follows:
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): 7% (source)
- Depression: 23% among active and 20% among veterans (source)
- Anxiety: 30% (source)
- Chronic Stress: 22-40% (source)
- Problem gambling: 10% (source)
*PTSD and cooccurring mental health concerns are often notably higher for combat veterans involved in certain operational conflicts.
While the public may not be aware of the specific rates listed above, none of it comes as a surprise. However, knowing that help is available via the VA and other federal and state provided services, many wonder why impacted active and retired servicepersons may not take full advantage.
Why don’t veterans seek help for their mental health? Why would any of them struggle with thoughts, feelings, and emotions to the point that some would take their own lives? It’s an important question to ask, and one that can only be answered by those who have walked in their combat boots.
As one of America’s foremost providers of veteran support services for distinct mental health concerns (for example) Kindbridge has significant insight into why veterans don’t seek help even when aware that assistance is available. To protect the interests of those who have confided in us, we will avoid going into specifics regarding statistics and departments of the U.S. Armed Forces (which is telling in itself) but can pinpoint precisely why our nation’s cherished members of the military abstain from mental health treatment.
9 Reasons Why Active and Veteran Members of the U.S. Military Don’t Seek Mental Health Support
Perception of Weakness
The stigma surrounding mental health struggles has eased significantly among America’s general population. It has even been lifted in professions that once considered it a weakness, such was the case among elite athletics. Unfortunately, stigma still persists in the U.S. Armed Forces. Military culture often emphasizes resilience, strength, and self-reliance. Admitting to a mental health issue may be perceived as a sign of weakness or failure, which goes against the core values of many service members.
Fear of Social Judgment
Veterans may avoid seeking help due to fear of being judged by their peers, friends, and/or family. For certain issues, such as problem gambling or porn/sex addiction (view more on military hypersexuality disorders) they believe they will be seen as being irresponsible or reckless.
Fear of Career Repercussions
Active-duty military members may avoid seeking help for mental and behavioral health issues due to concerns about jeopardizing their careers, including potential impacts on promotions, security clearances, or future deployments. Veterans may fear that seeking treatment could affect their benefits or post-service career opportunities, especially if they are transitioning into roles such as with the police department or private security where mental health struggles can be stigmatized.
Loss of Trust or Respect
There’s a fear that admitting to a mental health issue could lead to a loss of trust from fellow service members, leadership, and/or family. They are worried that it could affect their standing within their unit, team cohesion, or even their ability to lead others. Further, veterans typically pride themselves on being role models in their communities and so admitting to a mental/behavioral struggle may feel like a failure to live-up to that image.
Minimization of the Problem
Certain behavioral issues such as problem gambling, unhealthy gaming, or problematic porn consumption can be downplayed by veterans or military members. They may view it as a personal vice or hobby that they can control, rather than a serious mental health issue that requires intervention. Moreover, the normalization of such behaviors (i.e. gambling) within military culture can lead to veterans underestimating the severity of their addiction.
Fear of Confronting Cooccurring Mental Health Issues
A veteran may be ready to come to terms with the fact that they have a specific struggle, such as problem gambling (3.5 times more common than among civilians). However, they may not be prepared to acknowledge other mental health issues that may cooccur with it. As a result, they may choose to abstain from problem gambling (etc.) treatment so as to not open the Pandora’s box.
Self-Reliance and Control
Many veterans have been conditioned to believe they should be able to “fix” personal problems on their own. Asking for help with a mental health issue or process addiction can feel like an admission that they’ve lost control. This is something that is deeply uncomfortable for military personnel who are accustomed to discipline and self-mastery.
Lack of Awareness about Treatment Options
In the introduction we indicated that many veterans and active duty personnel don’t seek help despite awareness of support systems being available to them. That said, a significant portion are not aware of their treatment options. In addition, they may not be aware of the overlap between mental health services and support for more specific disorders such as problem gambling/gaming or porn addiction. This knowledge gap can leave them feeling isolated or unsure of where to turn.
Fear of Financial and Personal Consequences
Lastly, veterans in financial distress may avoid seeking help, not realizing that coverage may be fully available to them (see insurance options below). This is particularly true for those who struggle with issues that lead to debt and financial ruin, such as problem gambling. Those who fall under the latter category are afraid to seek help due to the potential for revealing the extent of their financial problems to their family or peers.
The above real or perceived “barriers to entry” in seeking help for mental health are easily removed through Kindbridge. We offer powerful and effective treatment for active and retired members of the military in a safe and confidential virtual environment (online or tele-health). If you are an active serviceperson or veteran who needs someone to talk to, don’t spend another day without support.
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