DVIDS – News – Group therapy provides mental health support to overcome challenges

[Editor’s note: This article deals with mental health issues and treatment. If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, call the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and press “1”, or text 838255, or chat for the dedicated Veterans Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line. For Spanish, press “2”.]
Mental health is health, and evidence-based group therapy is one of the effective tools for military members to receive treatment for mental health issues.
In group therapy, a group of patients meet together to discuss their experiences under the supervision of a trained therapist. The American Psychological Association reports that group therapy is as effective as one-on-one therapy in achieving individual treatment goals.
“Teamwork is essential in the military, and group therapy is in keeping with that principle,” says Physician, a senior mental health provider at the Naval Branch Health Clinic Naval Training Center in San Diego and a licensed clinical psychologist with a Ph.D. said Sheila Max, a priest.
“Military members may typically think that no one understands what they’re going through, or that they should be able to handle it on their own,” said Dr. said Rhonda Lenosky-Vittori, program area manager. She is with the Defense Health Agency Research and Engineering Directorate, Science and Technology Portfolio Management, Psychological Disorders Treatment Research, Silver Spring, Maryland.
“Group therapy provides a safe environment to build trust and practice opening up to others who have gone through similar experiences. It reduces the sense of isolation you feel when you are going through a difficult time. “You can do that,” said Lenosky-Vittori, who has a background in leading group therapy. “This group provides support that comes from a sense of community, not obligation.”
This type of therapy “allows you to release pent-up emotions without feeling judged or having someone try to ‘fix’ your problem right away,” Lenoski-Vittori says. . “You can hear how others are dealing with similar situations, and they can support you through problem-solving, conflict resolution, or difficult conversations. It gives you the opportunity to support others, improve your self-confidence and reduce your own symptoms.”

Prejudice and cultural change

Some behavioral health patients may be reluctant to share their feelings and experiences in group therapy, or may fear the stigma attached to mental health in the military or civilian world. Maybe.
But now, Lenosky-Vittori says, stigma is less of a factor. “We need to move away from talking about stigma as if it were an absolute reality that prevents people from seeking treatment,” she declared.
“Talking about mental health is now mainstream and not taboo. The reality is that we all experience suffering at some point in our lives. It is a universal experience that everyone has. Universal There can be no bias in experience,” Lenoski-Vittori said.
“Getting together in a group of people and talking about your problems can be very difficult for some people because there are a lot of cultural forces to overcome,” says Dr. , said U.S. Army Maj. Daniel Good, deputy director of the facility’s psychology division. Health status at U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood Garrison, Missouri. Due to time constraints on active duty, “it can be difficult to find time to attend weekly therapy groups,” he said.
“It’s normal to feel anxious about group therapy, especially if it’s your first experience,” Max says.
“A common concern relates to fear of speaking in front of others, especially fear of sharing personal experiences. Although it is natural to feel nervous about opening up in a group, , it’s important to remember that all group members are there for the same reason: to receive support and tackle challenges together,” she explained.

[This story continues, addressing the benefits of virtual group therapy, in part 2.]

resource

May is the annual Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s DHA theme is “Protecting Your Mental Health.” Confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, whether you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, need urgent help, or just want to talk.
Military OneSource is a 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources and confidential support for military members and their families. Please call us at 800-342-9667.

The Psychological Health Resource Center is open 24/7 for questions about psychological health topics for military members, veterans, and families. A trained mental health consultant can help you access local mental health care and community support resources. Call 1-866-966-1020, start a live chat, or visit www.health.mil/PHRC.

The inTransition program has 20 FAQs to help you get started with the program. In Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, and South Korea only, you can call 800-424-7877 or 800-748-81111. You can also email the program directly: dha.ncr.j-9.mbx.inTransition@health.mil.

MHS, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs have many other mental health resources available to service members, family members, or veteran beneficiaries who are struggling with mental health issues. Visit our Mental Health Hub for a complete list of resources for immediate support or to schedule an appointment.

To schedule a mental health appointment through TRICARE, visit www.tricare.mil/MentalHealth.

To join DHA’s Mental Health Awareness Month campaign, check out our toolkit.

public support

Other important areas of public support are available across the military. These include:
• Educate and train service members to recognize the signs and reduce the risk of suicide through:
o U.S. military suicide prevention efforts
o U.S. Air and Space Force’s “Ask, Care, Escort” program
o U.S. Navy “Ask, Care, Treat” program
• Increased military personnel’s knowledge and comfort in reaching out to support resources through the Defense Suicide Prevention Agency’s Resources Exist, Asking Can Help program, or REACH.
• Promote supportive language through DSPO’s Your Words Matter campaign and call for an end to stigmatization and negative language when addressing mental health.
• Serves military members and their families through the Healthy Relationships Program, a free educational consultation designed to strengthen relationships through a series of customized individual coaching sessions to help set goals and strengthen communication skills. Share resources to support.
• Work with the DOD Office of Education to help school-age children talk about their feelings through the Acknowledge, Care, Tell program.

videos about mental health

Some helpful videos on mental health from DHA include:
Brandon Law https://health.mil/News/Gallery/Dvids-Videos/2023/05/26/video884831
https://health.mil/News/Gallery/Dvids-Videos/2023/04/27/video881469 Conversation with DHA Senior Noncommissioned Officer and U.S. Air Force Chief Sergeant Tanya Y. Johnson
TRICARE coverage of 7 mental health issues https://health.mil/News/Gallery/Dvids-Videos/2023/09/19/video897595
About children’s mental health https://health.mil/News/Gallery/Dvids-Videos/2023/06/29/video891104