,
20 tweets,
3 min read
Read on Twitter
It is time for #military community to think about mental health in the same way we think about physical health. #WorldMentalHealthDay THREAD
We make time in the day for PT, and we must start doing the same for mental health and wellness.
If a service member needs to go to treatment they need to have the time and support to integrate that into their day.
If a service member feels they are burdening others to go to treatment, then this will add risk to a person who is already struggling.
Creating regular time frames for mental health wellness decreases stigma & ensures all are making it a priority.
Additionally, when a person is in treatment it is imperative they maintain a feeling of connectedness and value within the unit.
Mental health issues are common part of the human experience; not something to hide or be ashamed of; they are something to be treated. 
Proportion of #veterans will need mental health care at some point; especially true for troops exposed to combat, frequent losses.
The same way service can result in physical health issues needing treatment, a service member may need mental health treatment.
Mental readiness. Physical readiness. Operational readiness. It's all readiness. Untreated mental illness impacts readiness & wellness.
Left untreated, mental health issues can be deadly for those suffering. Supporting time for mental health wellness aids suicide prevention.
People who are in distress listen and watch very closely to those around them. They try to figure out if it is safe to ask for help.
Those needing help may wonder: Will I be ridiculed? Will it negatively affect my career? Will it change the way people view me?
How we talk about, react to mental health can make difference in reducing stigmas & encouraging those suffering to get treatment.
Mental health issues are not a sign of weakness. They are an illness like physical health problems. They are common. They are treatable.
As a country, we need to wrap our arms around #veterans who have sacrificed so much and are now suffering impacts to their mental health.
We need to offer hope, best practices that work, appropriate resources, time for self care, stories of recovery, and peer support.
Let us all remember those who serve put their wellness on the line for the freedom and safety of others.
Let's honor that selflessness by supporting their wellness needs and those of their families.
There is hope. There is help. Treatment works. #WorldMentalHealthDay
