Concerns about mental health for our cadets/grads

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flyhigh2025

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May 7, 2020
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We are new to military life and all things academy. Our doolie seems to be doing ok and seems to be holding up just fine. However is anyone else very concerned about the recent deaths of two 21 grads from USAFA? Is there something we can do, RIGHT NOW, as a community to support our cadets and alumns? I understand there is a stigma surrounding mental health and the military- but I want to believe from all the orientations, parents weekends, etc that it is only a stigma and true help does exist- however the two recent untimely deaths of bright souls makes question that and also makes me filled with concern.
 
flyhigh2025 said:
We are new to military life and all things academy. Our doolie seems to be doing ok and seems to be holding up just fine. However is anyone else very concerned about the recent deaths of two 21 grads from USAFA? Is there something we can do, RIGHT NOW, as a community to support our cadets and alumns? I understand there is a stigma surrounding mental health and the military- but I want to believe from all the orientations, parents weekends, etc that it is only a stigma and true help does exist- however the two recent untimely deaths of bright souls makes question that and also makes me filled with concern.
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Help does exist. The stigma is decreasing.
 
When DD was back for Thanksgiving we talked about if there were anything that was being done as she is on a team that was impacted by one of the deaths. She did mention that the team had conversations about mental health and the resources available. She also mentioned that in one of her classes (she's a doolie), I can't recall which class, there was some sort of presentation of sorts about mental health. It did sound like USAFA was having some additional mental health education after the recent news.

I will say in general, a lot of mental health issues can begin and take hold in the college aged years to people who haven't previously has mental health concerns, so I don't think this is necessarily a USAFA issue. Of course, with COVID and its impacts more have struggled with mental health. If there is anything good to come out of the pandemic, perhaps it has brought to the forefront the need for more mental health education and decreasing the stigma around it.
 
2025 hopeful said:
When DD was back for Thanksgiving we talked about if there were anything that was being done as she is on a team that was impacted by one of the deaths. She did mention that the team had conversations about mental health and the resources available. She also mentioned that in one of her classes (she's a doolie), I can't recall which class, there was some sort of presentation of sorts about mental health. It did sound like USAFA was having some additional mental health education after the recent news.

I will say in general, a lot of mental health issues can begin and take hold in the college aged years to people who haven't previously has mental health concerns, so I don't think this is necessarily a USAFA issue. Of course, with COVID and its impacts more have struggled with mental health. If there is anything good to come out of the pandemic, perhaps it has brought to the forefront the need for more mental health education and decreasing the stigma around it.
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That is good your doolie is reporting open conversations around it. I just wonder if over time there is less outreach. Like everyone worries about the doolies- but what about the older cadets and recent grads? Are the same outreaches happening for them and the same " we welcome you to talk" also happening? Maybe so. But again, if so, is it enough? I am heartbroken for the families who lost their cadets. Just heartbroken. And while I know hindsight is always 20/20...I do want to think and brainstorm if we can be doing something right now to help. Sigh. maybe its wishful thinking.
 
As a class of 2021 parent, we have been asking the same questions you have asked. In discussing things with other '21 parents, I've come to the theory that after living with such a close group of brothers and sisters for 4 years, our now 2nd lieutenants have been scattered all over the world mostly by themselves and some are having a hard time not having that source of "we're in this together" mindset. Yes, they are now in the "Big Air Force" and as officers, should know how to handle things. But those who know them best are no longer around to see when they might be struggling. My heart is broken as we navigate the loss of those who felt they couldn't continue on this earth. My only advice is to keep checking on each other - just a simple phone call to say "I'm thinking about you" could make all the difference.
 
mommahedg said:
As a class of 2021 parent, we have been asking the same questions you have asked. In discussing things with other '21 parents, I've come to the theory that after living with such a close group of brothers and sisters for 4 years, our now 2nd lieutenants have been scattered all over the world mostly by themselves and some are having a hard time not having that source of "we're in this together" mindset. Yes, they are now in the "Big Air Force" and as officers, should know how to handle things. But those who know them best are no longer around to see when they might be struggling. My heart is broken as we navigate the loss of those who felt they couldn't continue on this earth. My only advice is to keep checking on each other - just a simple phone call to say "I'm thinking about you" could make all the difference.
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My heart is with you and all the 2021 parents. Big big big time hugs. I am so sorry for your devastating losses. Is there still the PEER program ( or something like it) for recent grads to connect with a bit older grads to help with the transition? If there isn't should there be? Would that help? I might be grasping for straws or trying to "fix" the unfixable. I am just desperate to find solutions to help this class and future classes NOW. And I preface all this by saying I know nothing of how it all works.
 
Raise kids from a young age on to be resilient, self-reliant, self-coaching, drama-resistant, independent, accountable, allowed to fall down and make mistakes and learn, to experience consequences from their choices, to fight their own battles, to advocate for themselves, to solve challenges on their own with only a featherlight coaching touch as needed from adults, to fight through tough spots that haven’t been pre-cleared away by others, to ask for help when they have made their best effort, to look for those who need help and grow stronger in the giving, to know they can be alone and be just fine if need be, to look inward for strength and confidence built from a young age. That’s the best gift parents can give as a bulwark against these kinds of challenges.

There are many DoD and service programs which provide mental health support, increasingly so as the suck-it-up approach to mental health loses its grip.
 
Capt MJ said:
Raise kids from a young age on to be resilient, self-reliant, self-coaching, drama-resistant, independent, accountable, allowed to fall down and make mistakes and learn, to experience consequences from their choices, to fight their own battles, to advocate for themselves, to solve challenges on their own with only a featherlight coaching touch as needed from adults, to fight through tough spots that haven’t been pre-cleared away by others, to ask for help when they have made their best effort, to look for those who need help and grow stronger in the giving, to know they can be alone and be just fine if need be, to look inward for strength and confidence built from a young age. That’s the best gift parents can give as a bulwark against these kinds of challenges.

There are many DoD and service programs which provide mental health support, increasingly so as the suck-it-up approach to mental health loses its grip.
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I am grateful to hear that there are programs that provide mental health support- do you know if they are widely accessible and well known amongst the cadets/grads? can we do anything to support these programs so they can reach a wider pool or reach greater depths of help for those who need it?
 
As commissioned officers, grads as junior officers should be aware of Chaplain services, Airman and Family Readiness Center programs, medical services and other programs, as they are young leaders who are accountable or will soon be accountable and responsible for their Airmen and their welfare.

I have no doubt service academy leadership have these issues on their agenda, and are spooling up chaplain services, cadet counseling, briefings, chain of command awareness and other avenues.

If you Google “military and veteran suicide non-profit organizations,” dozens will pop up. This has been an issue of concern for years, and the pandemic has contributed. There are many worthy organizations looking for caring people to help with time or donations.
 
From a public health standpoint I’d want to know who and how.

Male vs female

enlisted vs officer

Age ranges

method of suicide.

Not my area of public health but it’s my understanding that the more likely is going to look like this

An enlisted male, with money problems, under the age of 30, who is in the Army, and has easy access to a means of suicide. The latter being important because suicide is often an impulse act. Something decided on the spur of the moment.

In public health you can offer education and resources and hope people will change their behavior.

Or like Dr John Snow you can just turn the broad street pump off and restrict access to what is killing the people..

A combination of the two may be the best course in the long run.

.
www.militarytimes.com

Study suggests confiscating personal weapons from suicidal service members

A study found that suicidal service members are more likely to keep their weapons loaded and unsecured at home.
www.militarytimes.com www.militarytimes.com
 
My son is in the class of '23 and has said that if you want a Pilot slot (or any other rated job after you graduate) if you seek counseling for mental health issues, you won't get any of those jobs. Mental health is a huge issue with so many young people right now.
 
ANFmom said:
My son is in the class of '23 and has said that if you want a Pilot slot (or any other rated job after you graduate) if you seek counseling for mental health issues, you won't get any of those jobs. Mental health is a huge issue with so many young people right now.
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UGH and this is what I fear. Is it all bells and whistles and smoke and mirrors when it comes to all the Academy says they have available for cadets/grads but its truly not available.... and even if it is if our cadets BELIEVE they wont get what they want for seeking help- then the problem or stigma does VERY much still exist. And it breaks my momma heart.
 
I have an older brother in his 50s with mental health issues (non-military) and when he is taking his meds and is "well" he doesn't believe us when we say how sick he'd been. Then he starts thinking he doesn't need the meds and guess what - he'll be really sick again.

I don't want a pilot who has mental issues. The mind can believe so many things that's far from reality.

People with mental health issues don't seek help by themselves, most often, it's the family who has to seek help for them.
 
Candd82026 said:
I have an older brother in his 50s with mental health issues (non-military) and when he is taking his meds and is "well" he doesn't believe us when we say how sick he'd been. Then he starts thinking he doesn't need the meds and guess what - he'll be really sick again.

I don't want a pilot who has mental issues. The mind can believe so many things that's far from reality.

People with mental health issues don't seek help by themselves, most often, it's the family who has to seek help for them.
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Of course, there is a spectrum of mental health issues and needs. As has already been acknowledged in this thread, there are certain diagnosis that would prevent someone from being on the pilot track. Hopefully we've learned enough not to treat all "mental health issues" as though they are the same in terms of symptoms, magnitude or consequence.
 
Yes, but the key is to seek for help. Most people don't believe they need help to begin with. It doesn't have to be a serious issue, or if it's "mild" they'd think they're fine until they're not.
 
It's a tough issue to crack. I don't know if there's an actual solution unless you require everyone to regularly undergo mental health assessments.
 
At home, I keep checking on my kids to make sure we're talking and I can gauge their general mental state. How do you do that for your SA child being physically far away?
 
No no no ... a cadet is NOT automatically DQed from pilot training because they go to counseling. There are several places they can go to talk to someone -- chaplains, PEERS, the Peak Performance Center, etc


Cadets are ENCOURAGED to speak to someone to get over rough spots (and there are plenty!)

Please do an internet search on "USAFA Peak Performance Center" to get the real information. Cadet rumors is not the most reliable source of information.

www.usafa.edu

Helping Agencies

These helping agencies support and enhance the physical, spiritual, social, and mental wellbeing of our Academy community.
www.usafa.edu www.usafa.edu
 
SpiritCommitteeLiaison said:
No no no ... a cadet is NOT automatically DQed from pilot training because they go to counseling. There are several places they can go to talk to someone -- chaplains, PEERS, the Peak Performance Center, etc


Cadets are ENCOURAGED to speak to someone to get over rough spots (and there are plenty!)

Please do an internet search on "USAFA Peak Performance Center" to get the real information. Cadet rumors is not the most reliable source of information.

www.usafa.edu

Helping Agencies

These helping agencies support and enhance the physical, spiritual, social, and mental wellbeing of our Academy community.
www.usafa.edu www.usafa.edu
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Thank you - the posting that you're responding to is what Navy folks call a "Mess Deck Rumor" and in my house is called a "Kid Rumor". Everyone has seen/heard these sorts of things and as a Div O and then as you rise in rank and responsibility, a part of your job is to get out ahead and stay out ahead of them. I'm sure that Capt MJ and Flieger can echo my point on this.
 
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