Monique Andrews said Mission 100 has helped reduce stigma in the military sometimes tied to seeking mental health care. “Back in the day, if you went to mental health, your career was over,” she said. “That’s no longer the case.'
Monique Andrews, a licensed professional counselor, sits in her office on June 5. Andrews is a private practice therapist and is in the Alaska Army National Guard. She sees many active duty military service members and said they face unique struggles with mental health.
“We realized that connectedness is critical to the health and well being of our soldiers,” said Col. Masaki Nakazono, the command chaplain for the division. The program has brought more chaplains and counselors to Alaska. Nakazono said this has led to shorter wait times for counseling, and a 95% reduction in soldiers experiencing an immediate crisis. Suicide rates are also down – but the numbers are so small it’s hard to draw conclusions just yet. Halfway through the year, there has been one suspected suicide. The total was six last year, down from the high of 17, yet similar to years before the spike.
“If every single person has to connect and talk, then there isn’t this us versus them,” said Andrews. “You know, a general is going to talk to a mental health provider. A private is going to talk to a mental health provider.” Those roles can be positive, but if a soldier struggles to meet those expectations for any reason, it can cause shame and guilt.
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