Concerns about mental health for our cadets/grads

[Candd82026]

This is good, I'll check out the Peak Performance Center info. If there's a conflict of interest between seeking counseling and being DQ, then very few if any would want to voluntarily go.

 

[Capt MJ]

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.

Yes, yes and yes. I’ve watched generations of USNA sponsor midshipmen cycle throughout home. Many have sought help and counseling from chaplains and the psychologists and trained counselors over at the counseling center, and went on to pilot, submarines, etc.

Now, if a midshipman is in a state where they are diagnosed by a medical professional with certain mental health conditions, is required to be on certain medications, is a danger to themselves or others, they may not meet commissioning criteria, similar to other pre-comm DQ conditions and diseases.

It’s very easy to make the Magical Thinking Leaps that often form the launching point for Brigade rumors at USNA. Something is observed out of context, the full story isn’t known, the hearsay is fourth-hand, incorrect conclusions are reached, and something is declared factual and universal, usually with the most negative spin.

The military is utilitarian in nature. The good of the many will usually be placed over the good of the individual when it comes to safety of the unit or mission. That’s why the DoDMERB accession criteria are so steep and carefully laid out, why the pre-comm criteria follow that, and why the “NAMI Whammy” flight physical comes into play.

 

[Candd82026]

I looked it over and there are a lot of help options that are accessible to cadets. There are also some which specify "no records are kept" and strictly confidential. We can only hope that anyone who needs/wants help actually go and avail of these essential services. Thank you for the information.

 

[Capt MJ]

When I was at the Pentagon, in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, counselors were available to talk with all of us dealing with what we had seen and experienced that day. It was a “no records,” no notes deal, a safe place to cry and talk it out. Senior officers didn’t want to be de-screened from command or promotion, and it was a brilliant move by the medical leadership to set this up. The stress of putting the Navy Staff back together and ramping up to a wartime footing was relentless, I was having nightmares, lucid dreams where I actually smelled what I smelled that day, getting no sleep. Those folks were the best.

 

[raimius]

There are multiple ways to get help. Some are confidential and don't have any medical records generated. Chaplains are the classic ones, since their standard of confidentiality is so strict. Airman and Family Readiness Center has multiple programs, as well. Mental Health at the clinic can help, particularly if things need medical intervention (some of which can be duty limiting, but many aren't). One of the DOs in an old squadron went to many counseling sessions with a therapist after a rough divorce. It helped him, and didn't affect his career. Another Sq commander went to rehab for alcohol issues when he realized he needed help. He still kept his command (went to rehab after getting selected but before taking command).

 

[USAFA10s]

I just wanted to echo how awesome some of the resources we have available are. I was in a dark place after a car crash at USAFA left it looking like I couldn't commission, would likely never play tennis again and would lose out on the PhD opportunity I had just lined up. That combined with constant pain pushed me to the point where my grades started plummeting and I just didn't want to get out of bed in the morning. The peak performance center at USAFA was awesome. They helped me shift my thinking and gave me the tools to recognize when I was spiraling a bit and self correct as well as some decent pain management techniques. Both of these sets of tools I still use all the time and I credit with getting me through my PhD program - which was 4 years of nothing but constant stress and endlessly being told what you are doing is not good enough.

To the original question - which I think was essentially is there something "we" can do - the answer is encourage cadets and recent grads to actually USE the resources available when things START to go off the rails - the sooner the better because small changes in thinking and behavior can make a world of difference. The trick is knowing what those changes are and that is what the professionals can help with.

 

[Cerberi]

The military suffers from a disproportionate share of suicides relative to the general population. Service Academies (as well as many elite universities) have always suffered mightily from suicides. For many, it’s the first time they weren’t the best and brightest in the room. For active duty the stress of combat and/or continuous deployments have taken their toll.

I would fully expect the stigma seeking help is no longer part of the military DNA.

Help is available from professionals as well as people that serve/served.

It would be nearly impossible to find anyone that serves/served that hasn’t either suffered themselves or knows someone well that is/has suffers and needs help

Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness and resources are readily available

 

[Thunderbolt462]

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.

I sought mental health counseling in UPT and had no issues continuing training. Commissioning sources like USAFA are much more strict, but the regular Air Force is rapidly changing how they treat preventative mental health care. The worst I've seen recently was someone getting grounded for about a year, but they've since returned to flying status.