Is there a stigma inside the military with regards to receiving mental health treatment?
The stigma to receiving mental health services inside the military and outside the military is huge. Many people simply either fear being exposed as a weakling, which certainly impacts on the military culture of strength, or actually fear retribution and punishment if they express psychological distress and suffering. We don’t win wars by people having a hard time killing other people. We don’t win wars by people suffering from nightmares and being overwhelmed by the stress of combat. Those don’t win us wars. The military’s purpose is to win wars. So someone who is suffering is not a big help to the military. And they know that, and you’re surrounded by your buddies and “We’re all in this together, and we’re all going to fight to the bitter end — who am I to say I don’t think I can do this today?” … That doesn’t fit when everybody else is charged up to do what we’re supposed to do. Now there are therapists in the field with combat soldiers. What kinds of things are they dealing with
