Homework Assignment 1 - Olivia Adams
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Apr 3, 2024
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Adams 1
Olivia Adams
HUMS – 310 Military Case Work
Homework Assignment 1
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Family Preparedness in the Military
Family readiness is crucial for service member readiness. It is evident that the emotional well-being and mental health of service members are closely connected with those of their families (Hall, 2016, pg. 8). There is a lot of concern surrounding military members and their families with the lack of treatment options and counselors available to them. While existing programs are available, there is still a need for more long-term counseling and treatment providers. One issue that has been raised is the stigma associated with seeking treatment, as well as concerns for confidentiality and access to appropriately trained professionals (Hall, 2016, pg. 9). These concerns need to be addressed to provide the support and care that our military personnel and their families deserve. The magnitude of military personnel who struggle with mental health problems yet choose not to seek help because of the stigma behind mental health is concerning. According to Marshall, the culture of the military is not to seek mental help because then they will be viewed differently for talking about their feelings and emotions (Hall, 2016, pg. 11). As a result of various reasons, a lot of service members do not seek the healthcare treatment they need, especially when it comes to mental health which could be highly beneficial for them. As a military member, I know this is still true today. I had the opportunity to listen to a behavioral healthcare provider in the military provide a seminar about mental health. Lieutenant Commander Baker explained an essential factor in seeking mental health, that humans need to have the ability to recognize when they are experiencing mental instability from life stressors and
dare to seek the help necessary.
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Unfortunately, the solid mental health stigma is still prevalent in the military community. It seems that this is partly due to the culture of the military, where individuals are expected to handle their problems and not seek help for mental health issues. "Stigmas such as the particular branch of service, unit or commander, or even the rank and grade" play a role in why service members may not seek help (Hall, 2016, pg. 11). In contrast, service members will instead choose to fix their problems on their own or with the help of their family (Hall, 2016, pg. 13). Leading to the member to have further issues with their family, work, and personal life. Hence, we must work to break down this stigma and encourage individuals to seek the help they need to maintain their mental well-being.
Likewise, another primary reason behind this stigma is the limited confidentiality available compared to civilian mental health settings. In the military, "all actions are subject to review by the member's commander," which could contribute to a lack of privacy and potentially
discourage individuals from seeking the help they need. (Hall, 2016, pg. 13). Thus, military members and families distrust military counselors. They believe their information and sessions will not be protected, potentially ruining the service member's career.
Leading to the third issue affecting military members seeking mental health is the inability
to access care from qualified and adequately trained counselors. This can be a significant challenge, especially since many of the professionals providing these services may "not have any
personal experience in the military" and may not have received "proper preparation for working with military families" (Hall, 2016, pg. 10). It's essential that we continue to work towards improving "access to high-quality mental health services for our service members and their families" (Hall, 2016, pg. 10).
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Unfortunately, despite having ample resources, the military often fails to provide adequate
care for its members and their families. It is crucial to address this issue and advocate for the necessary support and resources so that our military personnel and their families can receive the care and assistance they need and deserve. In conclusion, the military must be made aware of the
challenges and needs that arise from the lack of proper care and take the necessary steps to address them.
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Resources
Hall, L. K. (2016). Counseling Military Families (2nd ed.). Taylor & Francis. https://ccis.vitalsource.com/books/9781134494927