Mental illness costing military soldiers

 
By Jae C. Hong, AP

A U.S. Marine with a bag full of sample tubes between his feet while taking psychological tests at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., on Sept. 29, 2009.

By Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY

The number of soldiers forced to leave the Army solely because of a mental disorder has increased by 64% from 2005 to 2009 and accounts for one in nine medical discharges, according to Army statistics.

Last year, 1,224 soldiers with a mental illness, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, received a medical discharge. That was an increase from 745 soldiers in 2005 or about 7% of medical discharges that year, according to personnel statistics provided to USA TODAY.

The trend matches other recent indicators that show a growing emotional toll on a military that has been fighting for seven years in Iraq and nine years in Afghanistan, the Army and veterans advocates say.

Mental illness costing military soldiers – USATODAY.com

I love this cartoons from my friend and fellow peer Chato Stewart.

What is mental health?  The term itself has a stigmatic connotation to it referring more to mental disorders or mental health problems. The truth is, it’s “relating to the total emotional and intellectual response of an individual to external reality” associated to both good and bad mentality.

Mental Health Humor

Over the last few years, more and more men have been strong enough to stand up and declare that they suffer with depression. That has led to some really nice coverage on the subject. I don’t want to write about that. They have all the research and studies to back it up, as well as the stories of many high-profile men from movies, TV, and sports. I get it. They are depressed. Yet, they also have the best available services at their fingertips! I’m just a guy, no huge bankroll or million-dollar contracts. Rather, a guy with mounting bills, a family to feed, and a hopeless pit in my soul tearing me apart.

I can’t be depressed… I’m a GUY! I don’t have the time to deal with this mood. So, I swallow the pain and move on. I avoid the help that is out there because I don’t want my other guy friends to think I’m weak. Yes, weak. The stigma of how others think of mental illness keeps me away from talking to anyone about my unrelenting feelings of despair. So I buck up and tell myself I can take this… I’m a GUY. We don’t complain about this type of thing!

I Can’t Be Depressed… I’m a Guy! | Psych Central

In a post by .vpnutritionblog.com got me thinking about how vitamins can play a part in our mental health…  I know that the sun is good for depression.  I was told by a therapist to try and get 15 minuets of sunlight each day.  By doing this it would help my depression.  When I was reading this article I realized that sun light is a natural source of vitamin D.  That’s when it all started to make connect the dots for me. So, starting this week I think I’m going to buy this product Life D3… It a dropper and not a pill, the last think I was to do personally is add another pill to my daily meds… But, that is me. 

Does Vitamin D Play a Role in Mental Illness such as Depression?  The research says YES! and Our Life D3 can help!

There was a time when you rarely heard someone talking “openly” about Mental Illness such as Depression. It was the secret illness only talked about behind closed doors. Nowadays, it seems like everyone knows someone…either workmates or family members, who have been affected by this illness and/or other Psychiatric Disorders.  All this exposure, has lead to more and more open discussion on a once taboo topic….Which  has lead to more research, new medications, and various treatments available to the mentally ill.

Dr. John M Grohol PsyD reviewed the latest data for 2010. “According to the most recent prevalence data we have (from the NCS-R, Kessler et al 2005, which is based upon 9,282 subjects), the 12 month prevalence rate for any mental disorder or substance disorder is 32.4 percent.”

Low levels of Vitamin D May play a roll in your Mental Health | VP Nutrition to Keep You Feeling Fit

I want to that VP Nutrition for letting me use the photo and quote the part of the post.

I thought this joke was funny since my wife and I will be married 20 years this year.

AFTER  BEING MARRIED FOR 44 YEARS, I TOOK A CAREFUL  LOOK AT MY WIFE ONE  DAY  AND SAID, “Darling, 44 YEARS AGO WE HAD A CHEAP APARTMENT, A CHEAP  CAR,  SLEPT ON A SOFA BED AND WATCHED A 10-INCH BLACK  AND WHITE TV, BUT I GOT  TO SLEEP EVERY NIGHT WITH A HOT 25-YEAR-OLD GIRL.  NOW I HAVE A $500,000.00 HOME, A $45,000.00 CAR, NICE BIG BED
AND PLASMA SCREEN TV, BUT I’M SLEEPING WITH A 65-YEAR-OLD WOMAN.  IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU’RE NOT HOLDING UP YOUR SIDE OF THINGS.”

MY WIFE IS A VERY REASONABLE WOMAN.  SHE TOLD ME TO GO OUT AND FIND A HOT 25-YEAR-OLD GAL, AND SHE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT I WOULD ONCE AGAIN BE LIVING IN A CHEAP APARTMENT, DRIVING A CHEAP CAR, SLEEPING ON A SOFA BED AND WATCHING A 10-INCH BLACK AND WHITE  TV.

AREN’T OLDER WOMEN GREAT? THEY REALLY KNOW HOW TO SOLVE YOUR MID-LIFE CRISIS.