Mental Health is health. The Military Health System has many resources available to help service members, families, or veterans who are struggling with mental health challenges.
Military families' lives are generally very different from others. Service members may be subject to frequent relocations, deployments, and stressful experiences due to combat and time away from their families. Families cope with additional stressors when their loved ones are deployed, managing family life on the home front. Traumatic events such as combat, assault, or disasters can have long-lasting negative effects like trouble sleeping, increased anger, nightmares, anxiety, and alcohol and drug abuse.
Protecting, optimizing, and defending mental health needs is vital to the well-being and readiness of our military force. Seeking help is a sign of strength and a critical element of individual performance and overall readiness.
Find Mental Health Services Near You
You are not alone.
If you're concerned that you or a loved one may be experiencing mental illness, you are not alone. Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being, yet mental illness affects millions of people worldwide. Mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, seasonal affective disorder, or more serious illnesses as bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, and more. Unfortunately, most people with mental illness do not receive mental health services that they need.
Do what feels right for you.
There isn't one way to think or feel or act. The important thing is to take advantage of all mental health care resources. Remember that every moment in time can affect you and others differently. Treatment is available, and it's okay to ask for help.
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- Identification #: DoD Directive Number 6495.02
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Policy
Feb 22, 2012
.PDF |
195.72 KB
Articles in popular media, and the concern of several national and military leaders in recent months, have raised the question of whether certain psychoactive medications are inappropriately prescribed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and commonly comorbid conditions.
- Identification #: 12-003
- Type: Memorandums
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Last Updated: September 29, 2023