Top Ways Mental Health Counselors Help Military Personnel and Their Families

Family Separation

Deployment is difficult not only on those who head overseas, but on the family members who stay at home as well. In particular, children of deployed personnel can experience a number of mental health consequences. Research shows that these kids, as a whole, exhibit increased incidences of depression, suicidal tendencies, anxiety, and behavioral problems.¹ To help mitigate these mental health issues, counselors can help them learn resilience and positive coping techniques. While mental health counselors can’t remove the stress of having a loved one overseas, they can help families better handle the experience.

Readjusting After Deployment

Nearly half of all veterans who served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan have reported difficulties readjusting after returning home.² In particular, many veterans struggle with finding meaning or fulfillment in their daily routine. This can lead to everything from an occasional loss of interest in everyday activities to general apathy and clinical depression. Mental health counselors can help these veterans address the underlying stresses interfering with their readjustment and provide behavioral therapies that can lessen or eliminate the negative feelings. When veterans are discharged from the military, mental health counselors can also provide career counseling to help make the transition into civilian life easier.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Military personnel and military family members sometimes turn to drugs and/or alcohol as a way to deal with the mental stress of serving or having a family member serving in the military. Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to familial discord, job loss, or even death. When working with military personnel or members of their family on any issue, mental health counselors often take the time to make sure drugs and alcohol aren’t a problem. If they are, the counselor can help provide treatment.

PTSD

Short for post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD is one of the most serious mental health issues counselors help combat veterans work through. It can include a number of debilitating symptoms, including flashbacks of the traumatic event; being easily startled or frightened; memory problems; emotional numbness; erratic sleep; and having intense, situationally inappropriate reactions to stimuli (such as noises, scents, etc.) that are reminiscent of the trauma. While some aspects of PTSD may need to be treated with medication, mental health counselors can play a large role in helping combat veterans process traumatic events and regain control of their lives.

Suicidal Ideation

On average, about 20 military veterans commit suicide every day, according to data analysis by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.³ This sobering statistic illustrates the mental health challenges military personnel face, as well as the important role mental health counselors can play.