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Military Health System

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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. These factors combined with changes we've experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic may weigh on many.

Everyone reacts to stress and traumatic experiences differently, and while some have reactions that can be seen as normal responses to life events, others may experience signs or symptoms of more serious conditions.

Mental Health is Health

Get the Care You Need

TRICARE covers a wide range of mental health services and you can find services locally at your military hospital or clinic and within the military community.

See What TRICARE CoversGoes to TRICARE.mil Find Your Military Hospital or ClinicGoes to the MTF Locator

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.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a serious public health concern, but is preventable. Everyone reacts to stress and traumatic experiences differently, and while some have reactions that can be seen as normal responses to life events, others may experience signs or symptoms of more serious conditions, including depression, traumatic brain injury, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Those coping with more serious concerns may feel like there is no escape from their difficulties. Read More

The Brandon Act

The Brandon Act honors Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta who died by suicide in 2018. The legislation was signed into law on Dec. 27, 2021, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. On May 5, 2023, DOD issued guidance to establish policy, assign responsibilities, and provide procedures for service members to initiate a referral for a mental health evaluation.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

If you’ve been exposed to a traumatic event like a serious accident, sexual assault, physical abuse, or natural disaster, you might suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder. People with PTSD may repeat their ordeals as:

  • Flashback episodes.
  • Memories.
  • Nightmares.
  • Frightening thoughts.

This can happen if they’re exposed to events that remind them of their trauma.

It’s important to know that PTSD can happen to anyone who’s experienced a traumatic event. According to the National Center for PTSD, nearly 12 million people in the U.S. are living with PTSD. Treatment is available, but many don’t get the care they need. Help spread the word by raising awareness about PTSD and the resources available to our DOD community.

 

Military Health System Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

 

inTransition Program

 

Military Crisis Line

 

Military OneSource

 

Psychological Health Resource Center

 

Real Warriors Campaign

 

Military Health System Web Pages

 

Military Hospitals and Clinics

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Topic
Jan 9, 2023

Stress

Mental Health related stress content transfered from the former After Deployment web site.

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Soldier Adapts to Life Changes, Ends up Paralympic Athlete

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It’s no secret. It’s very easy to give up and much harder to carry on in times of adversity. U.S. Army Maj. (Ret.) Christina Truesdale, competitive cyclist, has a very different take on that secret, and it has to do with surrendering. Find out how, in the face of adversity, that sweet surrender landed her on a new set of wheels.

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

After a trauma or life-threatening event, it is common to have reactions such as upsetting memories of the event, increased jumpiness, or trouble sleeping. If these reactions do not go away or if they get worse, you may have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Article Around MHS
Oct 13, 2022

Destigmatizing Mental Health Counseling and Treatment in Relation to National Security Clearances

Mental health infographic

A new specialty adjudicative branch of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Consolidated Adjudications Service focusing in behavioral science is expediting security clearance adjudications, as the agency continues its campaign to destigmatize mental health counseling and treatment in relation to the adjudication of national security ...

Article Around MHS
Oct 12, 2022

Dedicated Mental Health Facility Opens for Naval Surface Force in San Diego

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The Embedded Mental Health building is the new mental health facility for Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) operational Sailors, with an overarching goal to give active-duty personnel fast and quality access to mental health care, provide consultation to triads, and training for medical personnel and crews.

Last Updated: September 22, 2023
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