Military Mental Health

Soldiers, veterans, and their families experience unique mental health challenges. The stress and trauma encountered in service and from being separated from loved ones can have a large impact on one’s mental health. This May during Mental Health Month, learn more about what the nation’s heroes are facing and where to go for more information and help. 

Did you know?

A new APA survey highlights the issues that soldiers and their spouses cope with:

• More than one-third self report experiencing anxiety (military member 38%, military spouse 39%) and feeling depression (military member 40%, military spouse 33%) at least twice a week.
  
  
• In addition to stress caused by worry for their loved one serving in the military, spouses reported a lot or a little stress from handling domestic issues alone (60%) and single parenting (54%).
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  More than six in ten military members (61%) think that seeking help for mental health concerns would have at least some negative impact on their career.

Let’s Talk Facts

Helpful fact sheets on common mental health issues that can affect the military community.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed life-threatening events such as natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist incidents, war, or violent personal assaults like rape.

Depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.

Anxiety disorders are the most common of emotional disorders and can include overwhelming feelings of panic and fear.

Addiction is a chronic illness like heart disease, high cholesterol or high blood pressure that affects many aspects of a person’s life.

Ask Dr. Davis

Kentucky-based psychiatrist Mary Helen Davis, M.D., answers questions about the mental health of service members and their families. Dr. Davis works with the APA as a member of the Committee on Mental Healthcare for Veterans & Military Personnel & Their Families.

Mental Health Information and Resources

The World Wide Web is full of helpful educational and informational resources about mental health and the military community. A variety of Web links that can help you find the information you need include resources for soldiers, veterans, their families, as well as the public looking to show their support.

Support Your Loved Ones

Families and friends of returning service members often wonder what to expect after their loved one comes home from a combat zone. Read how to help your family in this fact sheet by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress.

The Minds and Hearts of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and their Families

Psychiatrist Robert J. Ursano, M.D. shares his thoughts on military mental health. Dr. Ursano is an expert in the areas of PTSD and the psychological effects of terrorism, bioterrorism, traumatic events and disasters and combat. He works with the American Psychiatric Association as a consultant to the Committee on Mental Healthcare for Veterans and Military Personnel and their Families. He is also Director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine.