The Army has bent over backwards the past few years to ensure that our returning troops get the care and help they need. In an era when our military has been at war for over seven years straight, the longest in our history, it’s important that these warriors are taken care of.
When I returned from Iraq in 2003, we didn’t have all the programs that are out there now to assist the troops with their transition from combat to garrison life. Ironically, OIF1 vets saw more sustained combat than anyone since but probably got the least attention when they returned.
The Army has taken very public and demanding positions about the mental health state of our troops. Vice Chief of the Army Gen. Peter Chiarelli even did a military post tour to personally ensure that leaders and troops understand that we are taking this issue seriously. In just the past year, we’re been required to undergo extensive death by powerpoint briefings and boring lectures about suicide, depression, mTBI, and PTSD just to name a few. It’s relentless and covers ever base imaginable. And while I don’t even vaguely presume to question Gen. Chiarelli’s intentions – because I know they’re pure and honest – I can’t help but wonder if mental health really is that important to the Army. I have interviewed Gen. Chiarelli enough times to know that his efforts are out of genuine care for our troops.
New programs directly target our leaders to provide the training needed to recognize in our troops and ourselves that there is a problem. While boring, the training is much needed and serves to at least provide troops with the proper mindset. I’d rather be bored and informed that entertained and none-the-better for it!
The Army created a website not long ago (one of many) to help Soldiers seek help for mental issues. The site, Army Behavioral Health, provides link to various resources Soldiers can go to for assistance. But, it came as a shock to me when I clicked on the “Mental Health Counseling and Security Clearances” link for some information to research. “Sorry, that file was not found” greeted me promptlly. As it did when I clicked on the “PTSD/MTBI Program for Families” and “Suicide Prevention Commander’s Toolkit” links, among others. As someone with a security clearance, I’m particularly interested in what the Army is putting out about this above the press briefings. I was disappointed to see the links didn’t work.
The Army has created another great site called “Battlemind” that is geared towards providing “Armor For Your Mind.” As part of the Battlemind mentality, they released a video called “Pulling the Stigma Down” to encourage Soldiers to seek help without fear of stigma or professional stagnation. I uploaded the video to my Great Americans account, but I’m having issues uploading videos for some reason, so in the meantime it’s hosted on YouTube.
General Chiarelli has assured Soldiers that they have nothing to fear in seeking help. However, many troops still fear the stigma and worry about their careers. Ladies and gentlemen and fellow Soldiers, I’ve finally – after six years – decided to lead by example. I will either ease your fears and provide with proof that you have nothing to fear or I will go down doing what I think is best for me and my family by seeking the help I’ve pretended I don’t need for so long. I just can’t afford to way much longer.
