Real Talk: Mental Health Therapy Stigma

Real Talk: Mental Health

By Hope Phifer The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD

www.vvsd.net/cohenclinics

Debunking Mental Health Therapy Stigma

This month’s Mental Health Awareness Month comes at a time when many of us are faced with new mental and emotional challenges. In a recent blog post from Cohen Veterans Network, Clinical Practice & Training Manager Ava Weiss, provided clinical insight on how current world events such as the Russian war in Ukraine may bring stress and uncertainty for everyone, but perhaps especially those who are connected to the military.

“People may be in a constant state of uncertainty these days, thinking things like ‘Am I going to get deployed? Will my partner get deployed?’” Weiss said. “For people with past combat experience, they may be closely attuned to things like this (Ukraine). They may be wondering: will we get into another global conflict?”

That uncertainty is part of the human condition, part of a reality we all contend with. And experiencing some worry and stress related to uncertainty is totally normal. Let me say it again: normal. That perception of what is normal and what isn’t normal provides a foundation to talk more about and understand the difference between mental health myth vs mental health fact.

For example:

• MYTH: Anyone experiencing mental health problems should be able to snap out of it. - FALSE: Mental health challenges have nothing to do with being weak and most people need help to get better. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including biological factors, life experiences and family history.

Here are a few other mental health myths within the veteran and military community: • MYTH: PTSD is a “veteran only” issue - FALSE: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone who experiences or witnesses a life-threatening or traumatizing event. About eight million people currently experience PTSD in the United States, and this includes adults, children, veterans, and civilians alike.

• MYTH: Couples Therapy is a last resort to save your relationship - FALSE: To some couples, therapy may seem too drastic, but it’s never too soon to get help when you need it. Anyone could benefit from additional work on their relationship. • MYTH: Therapy and self-care are useless - FALSE: Treatment works. There are many evidencebased treatment options for challenges like PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, relationship problems and more. The most important step is to reach out for help if you need it. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can get back to better. And, once you start therapy, keep at it! Therapy is a progression. It doesn’t matter what type of treatment you are invested in each session offers opportunities to change, heal, and grow.

• It’s important to set time today to take care of yourself and check in on a loved one. When things get stressful or challenging, self-care is the first thing that gets compromised. Focusing on maintaining diet, exercise, and therapy even during challenges can have a huge impact on resiliency and coping.

• If you are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, focus on taking deep breaths and the things you can control. The continued uncertainty of the things happening around us may bring feelings of loss or distress. It’s normal to experience ups and downs, but sometimes we all need additional support. Look into groups and support systems in your local area.

• Why is it that we will talk to ourselves the way we would never talk to others? Bringing intentional awareness to the way we think, by practicing mindfulness, is one of the most powerful ways to impact our experience.

Additionally, here are few additional steps Weiss suggests taking when facing uncertainty:

• Notice and acknowledge anxious thoughts and feelings and allow them to exist.

• Recognize that our thoughts are just thoughts; it doesn’t mean it’s accurate or helpful.

• Identify what helps you feel calm and actively engage in those things.

• If there are actions that you can take to help reduce or manage the uncertainty, then take them.

• If what you are worried about is a realistic possibility, then identify what you would need in order to cope.

The most important thing, she says, is to give yourself grace and compassion as you make space for ambiguity and discomfort. Treat yourself as if you were a friend and take good care of yourself, because managing uncertainty is hard work, and it’s also a fact of life.

For more information about the Cohen Clinic at VVSD, visit www.vvsd.net/cohenclinics