What is it about?
Studies have identified that there are many barriers to treatment of mental health illnesses in military populations, including the negative-associated stigma. One such barrier includes perceptions of weakness, leading to concerns about leadership and competency and being seen as malingering. Furthermore, similarities can be seen in civilian health professionals, where concerns of negative perceptions can limit reporting and treatment of mental health illnesses. Despite the frequency of stressful events, military and health professionals do not become immune to stress and are often ill prepared to cope with acute stressors that can often build on each other until emotional exhaustion and/or crisis point. Even with targeted internal programmes, the stigma of seeking mental health assistance in the military and medicine is poor and is believed to contribute to poor outcomes, such as the potential of increased suicide prevalence.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
The prevalence of PTSD, stress, anxiety, and burnout are a significant contributor to suicide amongst military and medical personal. Even with targeted internal programs the stigma of seeking mental health assistance in the military is common, and is believed to contribute to increased suicide rates. As such, new models need to be developed. A greater focus on the relatively neglected area of workplace primary prevention could further improve suicide prevention effectiveness.
Perspectives
Soldiers have an inherently difficult duty often faced with life changing choices and requirements. Life or death situations on the battlefield can change a person’s life. Even with the inherent risks associated with military duty, mental health illness such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and burnout, seems to be poorly managed. Whilst the stressors and gravitas of military service are widely acknowledged, there is still a perception of weakness when a member seeks mental health treatment. This culture is also widely acknowledged in emergency medicine, which experiences high rates of clinician emotional exhaustion, stress, and burnout, with many highlighting that stigma perceptions are a barrier to seeking help.
Fergus Gardiner
Royal Flying Doctor Service
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Similarities between military and medical service: stigma of seeking mental health assistance, Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, May 2018, BMJ,
DOI: 10.1136/jramc-2018-000975.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
