Stop The Stigma

In the United States military we face about 14% of our brothers and sisters suffering from depression. Do we ever sit down and discuss why this number is so damn high? I mean honestly, we have decent pay, free health care, dental, AND we get free college? That's a deal, that most people would give anything to have. So why is it that we have that many military members who are suffering. I do not know about the other branches, but I am here to speak about the Marine Corps. In my time there, I watched myself as well as many others sit back and suffer in silence. I have watched Marines cry out for help and get called “weak” as soon as they walked out of the room. Sadly, these comments come from people who are supposed to lead you. These are people you are told to TRUST. When you are struggling what is the main thing that you would need? Support, love, and most important empathy. Every day there are people who are discriminated against due to having a mental illness in the Marine Corps. If you admit to needing help, then you are perceived as weak. We are known as the strongest fighting force and you are telling me you need "HeLp?". I can hear this clear as day from one of my leaders. From personal experience I have gone to my leadership, the people who are supposed to help me and guide me. I told them that I needed help, that I was depressed and they looked me in my eyes and said "Ok, and?". They knew my situation that I was in. My husband was deployed and I was pregnant working 40 hours a week at 35 weeks pregnant. Not too bad right? Wrong, on top of that I had to chase after my toddler all day, night and weekends. I was exhausted and just needed a break. I was at my last limits, even my therapist said “Honey, I think you are just tired..”. I needed them to see that from my perspective but they never tried. I was shocked at how someone could be so heartless, and how they could lack that much empathy. It was a bit mind boggling. What is worse than that? Oh yea, them treating the most juniors like this. One Marine that I interviewed had said that he heard her leaders laughing at the fact that her marriage was ending and she was having some anxiety. These people took these young Marines business and spread it amongst themselves like it was some kind of joke. I had my subordinates hating coming into work simply because they knew that they were never going to be supported. That is the saddest reality that anyone can face. We had to go to work every day and bury everything that we were feeling. This is not fair to anyone. THe military preaches about the wellness of their people, but that is all just a front. We need this petition to make the process for those who are mentally ill, a lot more smooth and a lot less stressful. We have limited resources for those who are struggling. We get a few counseling sessions and a few classes for a month or two and if that does not work, then you get the boot out. You are deemed unfit. Why not create longer treatment. I know that we are ready to fight at all times, but what is the point if we have Marines burying their feelings. I think that person will be a whole lot more level headed if they knew they were supported if they did cry out for help. If treatment could get just a little more patience and take a tiny more time then I think that there could be a major change. These Marines need more professional support groups. They need to have more resources than just a counselor and a chaplain. It is perfectly okay to not agree with what I have stated, because it is true that every unit is different and every command has different support levels. My issue is, why can’t ALL units and commands have that kind of love and support for their Marines. Why are some of us being the leaders that our Marines need, and why are others getting sweeped under the cracks? These are all issues that need to be addressed. With enough awareness of the subject follows with more talk. More pressure. Therefore, the issue will be revised and hopefully a better treatment will be input. Honestly, I would just be happy if the next time you hear a hateful comment regarding someone's mental health, you speak up. No matter who they are or what power they hold. Stand up for the people that really need it. Thank you for reading!