Breaking the Silence: Destigmatizing Mental Health in the Military

In the high-stakes, high-performance world of military service, strength and resilience are virtues. But what happens when those expectations leave little room for vulnerability — especially when it comes to mental health?

For many servicemembers, the pressure to appear invincible can lead to a culture of silence. Emotional struggles are often hidden behind tight-lipped professionalism, and seeking help may feel like admitting defeat. But the truth is, mental health care is not a sign of weakness. It’s a strategy for long-term strength.

The reality of mental health challenges in the military

Dealing with a mental health challenge like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD often makes people feel alone. But the reality is: you’re not. More than a half-million active service members of the U.S. Armed Forces have a diagnosed mental health disorder.

The actual number of affected people is probably higher, too. One study found that 60% of military personnel dealing with a mental health difficulty don’t seek help. Why not? Leading reasons were "My unit leadership might treat me differently" and "I would be seen as weak."

If that sounds familiar, let that be even more validation that you’re not alone in this. And taking care of your mental health doesn’t just benefit you. It positively impacts your family and friends.

If you’re still serving, it also matters for your unit. When mental health is neglected, it can impair judgment, performance, and cohesion. Supporting psychological wellbeing isn’t just compassionate. It’s critical to operational effectiveness.

Breaking the stigma: The first step

As with any destigmatization, the first step in breaking the stigma around mental health in the military is simply talking about it.

If you’ve been dealing with a mental health challenge yourself, consider finding someone close to you that you can talk to. If you don’t feel safe with anyone you currently know, that’s an excellent indicator you’d benefit from finding a therapist.

If you’re not living with a mental health condition, your role is just as important here. Be open. Listen. Ask questions to your friends who serve(d) with you, checking in on their mental wellness.

The more you talk about mental health, the more people will feel like they can share their own experience with it.

Finding military-backed and outside mental health support

Leaders within the Armed Forces are well aware that mental health challenges are prevalent among their organizations. That’s why they offer resources to help.

Within Military OneSource, you can request confidential counseling. You can also tap into the Military Family Life Counseling (MFLC) program to find options near you. There are more than 300 available counselors across California.

Alternatively, you might prefer to see a mental health pro outside of the military umbrella. If you’d rather keep your service and your mental healthcare separate, we have some tips to help you find a therapist.

By opening up dialogue, we can reshape how mental health is viewed in the military community. It starts with listening, sharing, and supporting each other so no one feels like they’re carrying the weight alone. And we’re here to help. If you want to find a therapist to come alongside you and help you care for your mental wellness, contact us.