Stigma: "What Is It and Why Does the Operational Commander Need To Be Concerned?"
Abstract
Mental health disorders are the most significant source of medical and occupational morbidity among active duty military members1 and multiple deployments increase the risk of developing a disorder. Stigma and fear of negative career impact are major reasons attributed to military members not seeking timely mental health services. To date, over one million Active and Reserve military troops have been deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), of whom nearly half have been deployed more than once.2 There is no indication that the current Global War on Terror (GWOT) will end soon, thus ensuring these numbers will rise. The reality of service members delaying or refusing to seek mental health treatment combined with the large numbers of members with multiple deployments greatly increases the risk that the psychological resiliency and effectiveness of our nation s fighting force is, or will soon be, significantly eroded. Operational Commanders have a responsibility and a unique opportunity to address these issues. This paper addresses three types of stigma (public, self and structural) and the significant role that the stigma related to mental health care has on the psychological resiliency and combat capability of our fighting forces, presents a selected review of related literature, and provides courses of action for the Operational when addressing these issues.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 06, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA476490
Entities
People
- Lori A. Laraway
Organizations
- Naval War College