Reducing the Stigma and Encouraging Mental Health Care in the Military

In the military, the stigma of mental health is grounded in the cultural misperception that a service member must have “zero defects” to be mission ready.

While the Department of Defense strives to identify and eliminate barriers to care that service members face regarding mental health treatment, stigma remains a significant issue within the military.

Eliminating stigma starts with the individual, their immediate network (family, friends, and colleagues), and the broader community understanding that mental health is an element to overall health. Just as you would see your dentist to maintain oral health and a cardiologist to maintain heart health, seeking treatment for mental health concerns will help keep you in check to ensure you live a healthy, productive life.