The Silent Battle: Understanding the Mental Health crisis of Military Personnel

We all say that life is uncertain and there is no guarantee that we will see tomorrow’s sunlight. What if this uncertainty is certain in someone’s profession? We hear people saying I had a really long day and there is a professional who really works for long day and night to safeguard us. During Operation Sindoor, many public shared nightmares about their places being bombed. Imagine what if a person’s daily life is filled with near death experiences, bombs, pain, chaos and being in a constant life threat. Our night terrors may be their daily life. I guess every one of us might remember the night our army, navy and military officials protected us, destroyed all the missiles and we were having peaceful sleeps. We all talk about occupational stress. Just imagine the stress these people witness on a daily basis. Let’s just have a glance at the mental health of the people who work for patriotism and take responsibility for the people in the country. 

We live by chance, we love by chance and we kill by profession. -  Officers Training Academy, Chennai.

Risk factors

Despite all the strength and responsibility they hold, they’re not used to facing psychological distress. As we discussed earlier, there are chances for them to witness traumatic events, combat exposure, life-threatening conditions and long-distance relationship with their kith and kins. Individuals who undergo frequent shift of place or deployment.

Possible disorders

Studies show that higher combat exposure may be prone to development of post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injuries, insomnia and other sleep related disorders depression and anxiety disorder. According to the Ministry of defense, around 1,100 soldiers died of suicide from 2010-2022. Frequent change of job location, family separation may lead to alienation and loneliness.

Barriers to seek help

Despite the growing risk and sufferings among the military personnel, stigma remains one of the biggest barriers for their mental health care. And that for those who were considered as brave the stigma will feel so heavy. For those service members, they may feel that admitting psychological struggles will be seen as a sign of weakness or could negatively impact their careers. Nearly 25% of the military officials only seek help for their mental health. We might have heard of news about military officials who shot himself late at night. It’s because their needs have gone unnoticed. 

Impact on Families

Usually when it comes to physical health or mental health if someone is affected with any disease or disorder it not only disturbs the patient but also the caregiver and close family members. They may remain scarred in the people who lost the patient or the other version of them. Another study from military medicine, revealed that spouses of military officials are highly prone to anxiety and depression while compared to the general population.

What can be done?

• Proactive screening and early intervention – Intervention can be given as early as possible in order to prevent the increase of severity.
• Confidential and stigma free care – mental health support should be provided without revealing the patient’s identity and with utmost confidentiality and also non- career impacting counseling options should be provided.
• Expanding access to treatment – There should be assurance that mental health professionals are available on base and via sources accessible to them.
• Peer support group – People usually feel easy to share with their peers and their support can bring in more positive changes in the client. Hence, peer support groups will be helpful.
• Family- inclusive therapy – offering therapy to those who support these real-life heroes, both mentally and physically. And therapy should focus on improving their resilience.

Conclusion

Bravery is not just limited to fighting in the battlefield – it’s also about confronting internal struggles one goes through. By recognizing, respecting, and responding to the mental health needs of military personnel, we can ensure that those who serve are not left to suffer in silence.