Mental and physical health are incredibly important components of all-around health. There is no single reason for mental illness where there are a number of risk factors. It is estimated that one in 5 American adults get each year a mental ailment in any given year. Nearly one inch 4 active duty service members showed signs and symptoms of a mental health issue (JAMA Psychiatry, 2014). Among active-duty troops, mental health-related appointments included roughly 16% of the military medical appointments (DoD, 2018). A higher prevalence of emotional and behavioral difficulties were found among children of military families’ ages 11 to 17 in comparison with their general population peers. Many people with mental health conditions don’t seek treatment, including military personnel. Below are available strategies and resources.
TIPS AND STRATEGIES TO HELP:
Do a self-assessment on yourself daily. How are you doing? Are you feeling stressed, annoyed, detached, de-activate or self-isolating? Have your eating or sleeping patterns changed?
Don’t forget to test in in your child, relative or coworkers. Look out for any negative adjustments to their behavior, appearance or mood. Ex: increased irritability, appears disheveled, self-isolating, increased tardiness or call outs from work.
At home maybe in the workplace, create a environment for help-seeking behavior.
Don’t downplay, ridicule or gossip in regards to person’s mental health conditions.
Provide support, reassurance and encouragement.
Identify available resources using your employee assistance program, community mental health providers or school counselors/psychologists.
Don’t be often unwilling to seek out help yourself or encourage others for this, as required.
Asking for help takes courage and is not a sign of weakness. Take the starting point!