As a mental health professional, I find the annual observance of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month in June to be of significant importance. This designation, which has evolved from a single day of recognition, underscores a growing national commitment to acknowledging, destigmatizing, and effectively addressing this often-misunderstood condition.
PTSD is a complex condition that can develop after an individual experiences or witnesses a terrifying or deeply distressing event. While commonly linked with military combat, and this article will predominantly address the gaps in care coordination for military personnel, PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced trauma. This includes survivors of accidents, natural disasters, abuse, or other life-threatening events.Symptoms can vary widely but may include intrusive thoughts, nightmares, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, negative changes in thoughts and mood, and heightened reactivity. A significant hurdle for many experiencing PTSD is the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health. This can lead individuals to suffer in silence, fearing judgment or career repercussions. However, it's crucial to remember that PTSD is a treatable condition, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The origin of PTSD Awareness Day on June 27th is rooted in a profound tribute. In 2010, Senator Kent Conrad championed official recognition for PTSD, moved by the tragic loss of Staff Sergeant Joe Biel. A member of the North Dakota National Guard, Sergeant Biel succumbed to suicide in 2007 after experiencing PTSD following two tours of duty in Iraq. His personal struggle highlighted the critical need for public and institutional acknowledgment of the severe impact of post-service trauma. The selection of Sergeant Biel's birthday for this observance serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of unaddressed mental health challenges.
Building upon this foundational step, the Senate further expanded this commitment in 2014 by designating the entire month of June as National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month. Senate Resolution 481 laid out exactly what we aimed for with this wider recognition: to raise public awareness about PTSD, reduce the stigma, and ensure those with these 'invisible wounds of war' get the help they need when they need it.
From a clinical standpoint, this national recognition is more than symbolic; it is a vital mechanism for fostering an environment conducive to healing. By bringing PTSD into the forefront of public discourse, we can dismantle barriers to care, encourage early intervention, and promote a more compassionate and informed societal response to trauma. Our collective efforts to acknowledge and understand PTSD are fundamental to supporting the wellbeing of affected individuals, particularly our service members, and ensuring they have access to the comprehensive care they deserve. As a mental health provider who cares immensely about mental health and our veterans, it is frustrating that most of the mental health provider listings in Tricare's directories are, well, wrong. Like, way wrong. We're talking “85% of listings in the East Region and 79% in the West Region had issues,” according to a federal watchdog group, part of the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Think about it: a wrong address, a phone number that doesn't work, or a listing for a therapist who doesn't even specialize in what you need. That's a huge problem, especially for our military families who are just trying to get help.
It means that when a service member or their family goes to look for a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist on Tricare's website, they're probably hitting a lot of dead ends. And that's just unacceptable.
The report pointed out that these directories are supposed to be super helpful tools for finding the right care. However, if the info is bad, they're not helping anyone.
And here's the thing: demand for mental health support has exploded in the military world. The diagnoses have quadrupled for service members and have risen six times for their kids in the last 20 years. When you think about deployments, frequent moves, and all the stress that comes with military life, it makes sense. But here's another big reason why it's so hard to find care: Tricare's reimbursement rates. Basically, they often don't pay as much as other insurance plans, which makes it less appealing for good, in-demand therapists to join the network.
Our military families, who sacrifice so much, deserve accurate information when they're looking for mental health support. Let's get these directories fixed so they can get the help they need, when they need it.
For mental health providers to get set up to take TRICARE — the insurance for our military families — has been a real eye-opener. Basically, it comes down to two big things: First, there's a mountain of extra paperwork and rules you have to deal with when you work with TRICARE. It's way more complicated and time-consuming than with other insurance companies. As therapists, we're already swamped with helping people, so adding all that extra administrative work is a huge burden. Second, and this is a big one, TRICARE often pays a lot less for our services than other insurance plans.
Furthermore, sometimes it's so low that it's just not financially possible for us to take on TRICARE clients without actually losing money. Especially for smaller agencies trying to run a business, and pay our bills, too and the low reimbursement rates, it forces many clinicians to make the tough choice not to be in the TRICARE network. It’s not that mental health providers aren’t committed to supporting our military families. However, the current system presents significant, often insurmountable, challenges that hinder our ability to provide effective assistance. Bottomline, we need to do better for our military and the care of their mental health.
Improvements in mental healthcare are necessary, encompassing increased state funding and improved access to treatment. This transformation begins with individual advocacy for change.
Remember, “Your feelings are valid, and you are enough, and you MATTER.”
Unconditional Positive Regard, Natalie Gabbard, MHR, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor *The views expressed in this article are solely my own . The information provided in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional counseling, advice, or treatment. While I am a licensed professional counselor, this article does not establish a therapeutic relationship and is not a substitute for personalized care. Each individual's situation is unique, and the content presented here may not apply to every case. If you are seeking counseling or experiencing emotional distress, I encourage you to consult directly with a licensed mental health professional who can provide personalized support and guidance.
