Military Health Issues

To: base Commander

Military individuals must possess attributes such as integrity, self-control, and courage. Nonetheless, while these service members attempt to stay strong, they sometimes get to the point that can affect their mental health. 25% of active-duty members illustrate signs of mental health conditions such as depression, PTSD, substance use, and in the worst case, suicide (Inoue et al., 2021). Research indicates that 20 veterans and one person among active-duty military personnel commit suicide (Waitzkin et al., 2018). Surprisingly, active-duty personnel suicides deaths are high than those from combat. Therefore, relevant stakeholders must take necessary measures to reduce these mental health issues.

Problem

Despite the efforts by both the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the Fort to enhance the mental health services, many service members of the Fort Campbell Army Base in Hopkinsville continues to suffer mental issues. Without the proper treatment, these issues affect the life quality and cognitive functioning of the affected service members (Waitzkin et al., 2018). We understand the service has actively developed policies and programs to reduce the associated stigma and increase the number of service members seeking help. Nonetheless, after careful consideration and keen observance, the service members’ situation seems not to improve; instead, the problem worsens. Regardless of their position, the base camp is responsible for ensuring the mental health of those soldiers in the base camp is handled adequately. In recent months, the cases of service people in Kentucky illustrating symptoms such as discomfort and hypervigilance with the crowds, sleeping challenges, and constant outbursts indicate depression and anxiety disorder have dramatically increased (Hom et al., 2017). Besides, unlike in previous cases, active service members in the region have increased their substance abuse and struggled with alcohol abuse. A substantial number of the individuals seem to have unpredictable mood changes and appear excessively worried, scared, hostile, violent, and angry. These symptoms indicate a concern for the service members, their families, and the resident of Kentucky.

Decision maker

The base commander is the head of the Fort Campbell Army Base in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The commander is responsible for controlling and supervising the subordinates and must ensure to give clear and concise orders in the Fort. Additionally, the commander ensures the safety of service people. Therefore, mental health must be a priority for the base commander.

Solution

To reduce the mental health cases in the Fort, the Base commander, alongside those in a leadership capacity, needs to implement a reducing stigma program for those seeking help to increase accessibility to health facilities.

1. The camp should establish a support group in the base which supports the psychological health by encouraging the service community to reach out regardless of the nature of mental health issues
2. Design a new and adapted delivery mechanism that minimizes operational barriers for service people seeking treatment. An alternative mechanism that establishes fewer operational impediments is likely to appeal to the service members.
3. Include mental health issues intervention and stigma in the typical clinical treatment. Since mental issues and stigma are clinical risk factors, routine checks and monitoring can be part of the comprehensive treatment strategy.
4. Establish and evaluate a program designed for soldiers who have yet to develop mental illnesses symptoms. Such a program will help change the culture of help-seeking within the military.

Gannt Chart 

Milestone No	Milestone	Month 2	Month 3	Month 4	Month 5
1	Establish a support group for solders in the fort		x
2	Design and establish an alternative mechanism that minimizes operational barriers with fewer operational impediments		x	x
3	Training, fun activities, educative support		x	x
4	Include mental health and stigma check-ups as a typical clinical treatment			x	x
5	Implement a comprehensive soldier fitness program that promotes positive psychology of focus on mental toughness.				x

Conclusion

Like other Forts in the nation, soldiers in Fort Campbell Army Base in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, face mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, depression, and associated suicides. The Base Fort, under the leadership of the commander, has the mandate to minimize these occurrences. With stigma being the most significant concern, the base commander can establish support groups and alternative mechanisms. Such efforts deserve consideration, given the increase in mental health issues increase.

References

Waitzkin, H., Cruz, M., Shuey, B., Smithers, D., Muncy, L., & Noble, M. (2018). Military personnel who seek health and mental health services outside the military. Military Medicine, 183(5-6), e232-e240.

Inoue, C., Shawler, E., Jordan, C. H., & Jackson, C. A. (2021). Veteran and military mental health issues.

Hom, M. A., Stanley, I. H., Schneider, M. E., & Joiner Jr, T. E. (2017). A systematic review of help-seeking and mental health service utilization among military service members. Clinical psychology review, 53, 59-78.