Politics & Government
Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness for Military Personnel
The American Psychiatric Association is working to eliminate the stigma of mental illness so that military personnel and veterans seek help when they need it.
by Liz Spear
Last year, more military members died by suicide than from combat, according to numbers confirmed by National Public Radio.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, which has launched a campaign to educate the public about this major mental health issue, the stats about the military, suicide and mental illness are sobering. These stats include:
Last year, more military members died by suicide than from combat, according to numbers confirmed by National Public Radio.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, which has launched a campaign to educate the public about this major mental health issue, the stats about the military, suicide and mental illness are sobering. These stats include:
- The suicide rate among our military community is at its highest rate in 10 years of war.
- The prevalence of traumatic brain injury, which is associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation, is about 8-20 percent in military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
- 300,000 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with PTSD.
In a Public Service Announcement, Rep. Patrick Kennedy urges military spouses and families to encourage their loved ones to seek help for their mental health as they would do for their physical wounds.
“It’s up to all of us as members of the American family to embrace our veterans so they stop suffering in silence,” says Kennedy.
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