Comments on: Military Suicides http://www.blog.drsarahravin.com/psychotherapy/military-suicides/ Blog Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:37:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Elizabeth http://www.blog.drsarahravin.com/psychotherapy/military-suicides/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Elizabeth Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:30:58 +0000 http://www.blog.drsarahravin.com/?p=34#comment-46 The scenario you're proposing of one therapy session per week for all recruits would be wonderful, but I doubt the resources are really available for that. Maybe a more realistic goal would be for each recruit to have one or two meeting with the therapist on their aircraft carrier, etc. That way, they'd be comfortable with the person already and be more likely to reach out if they needed help... Cera's idea of psychological help through the private sector is also appealing, but might be difficult when troops are overseas. I think that through bonuses, etc. psychiatrists in the navy are actually paid more than general practitioners in the service, though I'm not sure on that. So, I'm not sure that the salary differential between the psychologists and physicians on board is really sending the message that physical health is more important than mental health. The military's salaries tend to echo those in the private sector, just at a lower level and with better benefits. So, as long as there's a salary differential in the private sector, there will be in the service as well. The military needs to provide better mental health care for its members, but to multiply the number of psychologists serving five fold and then double the salaries of those individuals is a very pricey solution. The scenario you’re proposing of one therapy session per week for all recruits would be wonderful, but I doubt the resources are really available for that. Maybe a more realistic goal would be for each recruit to have one or two meeting with the therapist on their aircraft carrier, etc. That way, they’d be comfortable with the person already and be more likely to reach out if they needed help… Cera’s idea of psychological help through the private sector is also appealing, but might be difficult when troops are overseas.
I think that through bonuses, etc. psychiatrists in the navy are actually paid more than general practitioners in the service, though I’m not sure on that. So, I’m not sure that the salary differential between the psychologists and physicians on board is really sending the message that physical health is more important than mental health. The military’s salaries tend to echo those in the private sector, just at a lower level and with better benefits. So, as long as there’s a salary differential in the private sector, there will be in the service as well.
The military needs to provide better mental health care for its members, but to multiply the number of psychologists serving five fold and then double the salaries of those individuals is a very pricey solution.

]]> By: Dr. Ravin http://www.blog.drsarahravin.com/psychotherapy/military-suicides/comment-page-1/#comment-39 Dr. Ravin Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:45:49 +0000 http://www.blog.drsarahravin.com/?p=34#comment-39 Cera, Thanks for your comment. I'm so sorry to hear about what your sister went through. It's especially appaling that they refused to diagnose her with PTSD becaue she couldn't pinpoint one single incident in which her life was in danger. As if her life wasn't in danger the entire time she was in Iraq. By DSM-IV standards, traumas that are less severe than military combat are sufficient grounds to consider a PTSD diagnosis. I'm glad you've been able to find good treatment for your sister, and I wish her all the best. Cera,

Thanks for your comment. I’m so sorry to hear about what your sister went through. It’s especially appaling that they refused to diagnose her with PTSD becaue she couldn’t pinpoint one single incident in which her life was in danger. As if her life wasn’t in danger the entire time she was in Iraq. By DSM-IV standards, traumas that are less severe than military combat are sufficient grounds to consider a PTSD diagnosis. I’m glad you’ve been able to find good treatment for your sister, and I wish her all the best.

]]> By: Cera http://www.blog.drsarahravin.com/psychotherapy/military-suicides/comment-page-1/#comment-35 Cera Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:33:21 +0000 http://www.blog.drsarahravin.com/?p=34#comment-35 I think that it is also important and a bit more realistic (versus changing the system outright) to offer psychological treatment to military personal through the private sector. The stigma inside the military community in regards to mental health is pretty high and there are a lot of fears regarding confidentiality and how it will affect their status. It will take a long time to correct these issues and truly address the serious need, not just in writing and policy, but actually in belief within the ranks... a very hard concept to grasp for those who live to tough it out. My sister has recently returned from Iraq, her second deployment where she was a Black Hawk crew chief and gunner. Before this deployment, they threatened to kick her out due to low weight/anorexia. It was an empty threat. When she returned, she was having serious PTSD symptoms. They refused to diagnose her with PTSD because she couldn't think of one single event when she believed her life was in danger. My sister has a difficult time talking to begin with and being bombarded by a list from a man she did not know... it frightened her. As she rambled to me all stirred up, she listed off at least a dozen such moments. I was able to find her a program for private counseling that aims to serve military men and women. The therapist volunteers an hour per week and then the client goes out and volunteers an hour in the community which I am hoping will allow her to feel more connected once again. She has the power and control to choose her own provider and what is said remains private which is a new concept for her. If it is ok, here is the link: http://www.giveanhour.org I think that it is also important and a bit more realistic (versus changing the system outright) to offer psychological treatment to military personal through the private sector. The stigma inside the military community in regards to mental health is pretty high and there are a lot of fears regarding confidentiality and how it will affect their status. It will take a long time to correct these issues and truly address the serious need, not just in writing and policy, but actually in belief within the ranks… a very hard concept to grasp for those who live to tough it out.

My sister has recently returned from Iraq, her second deployment where she was a Black Hawk crew chief and gunner. Before this deployment, they threatened to kick her out due to low weight/anorexia. It was an empty threat. When she returned, she was having serious PTSD symptoms. They refused to diagnose her with PTSD because she couldn’t think of one single event when she believed her life was in danger. My sister has a difficult time talking to begin with and being bombarded by a list from a man she did not know… it frightened her. As she rambled to me all stirred up, she listed off at least a dozen such moments.

I was able to find her a program for private counseling that aims to serve military men and women. The therapist volunteers an hour per week and then the client goes out and volunteers an hour in the community which I am hoping will allow her to feel more connected once again. She has the power and control to choose her own provider and what is said remains private which is a new concept for her.

If it is ok, here is the link:
http://www.giveanhour.org

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