November 17, 2011

Command Post: "Does Fear of Getting Mental-Health Help Drive Up Suicide in the Military?"

The military has long known that many troops won't take advantage of the roster of mental-health care options the military offers. That's because they fear the stigma it might generate could hurt their career prospects. Does that aversion contribute to the military's increased suicide rate? Dr. Margaret Harrell, a Center for a New American Security military personnel expert who just co-wrote a study on the topic, and Dr. Elspeth "Cam" Ritchie, a Battleland contributor who recently retired as the Army's top psychiatrist, join CNAS president John Nagl and me to discuss the issue.