Mental health issues in the military are a hot topic seemingly swept under the rug often. Many refuse to touch on it. We’re talking to you, soldier. 

A 2015 report by the National Library of Medicine revealed that 60% of service members who experience mental health issues refuse to address them and seek help. Why is that? According to the report, studies within the military point to the stigma connected to mental illness and therapy as the reasons that hinder service members from taking action. 

According to the report, the ‘stigma’ is that military members who seek some form of therapy or counseling “would be seen as weak.” Some expressed concern about colleagues treating them “differently” because they took the necessary steps to address and possibly fix their mental health issues.