Military Culture, Mental Health and Law Enforcement
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This document summarizes a presentation on military culture and its relationship to mental health and law enforcement. It discusses: - Similarities between military and law enforcement cultures, such as putting service before self and exposure to high-stress situations. - Unique aspects of military culture like variation across branches of service and job roles, as well as differences in combat exposure. - Common post-deployment adjustment issues like sleep problems, irritability, and disturbing dreams or images. - Relationships between combat stress, acute stress, PTSD, and social support networks. Deterioration of social support over time can contribute to increased PTSD symptoms. - Stressors throughout the deployment cycle for service members, spouses,
Military Culture, Mental Health and Law Enforcement
- 1. Military Culture, Mental Health and Law EnforcementCrisis Intervention Team International Conference1 June 2010Deloria R. Wilson, Ph.D.Warrior Resiliency ProgramSan Antonio Texas210-424-8946
- 2. DisclaimerMany slides were derived from staff at theCenter for Deployment Psychology (CDP) and other Experts.The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are solely those of the author and do not reflect an endorsement by the U.S. Government, DoD, Department of the Army orthe Warrior Resiliency Program.
- 3. Military CultureSome similarities with Law Enforcement
- 4. Military and Law Enforcement
- 5. Culture-SimilaritiesService often before selfSeeking challengeEmotional regulationMultiple exposure to high stress situations
- 8. Military Culture-UniquenessVariation across servicesVariation with AFSC, MOS, etc. (jobs)Variation in combat exposureSubcultures
- 9. Combat Stress and PTSD
- 10. A Continuum of Combat ReactionsMission EventCombat StressAcute StressPTSDCombatReadyAdjustmentAdjustment
- 11. A Continuum of Combat ReactionsMission EventCombat StressAcute StressPTSDCombatReadyAdjustmentAdjustment
- 12. Typical Post Deployment Adjustment IssuesProblems sleepingIrritability/AngerMore (assertive) driving?Disturbing dreams/imagesFeeling out of placePhysical/Emotional/Cognitive FatigueRange of emotions including numbness
- 13. Yellow FlagsIncreased drinking More withdrawnSome family difficultiesReduced work performanceOccasionally late to work/appointmentsHyper-vigilance / arousal Discipline Problems
- 14. Red FlagsAlcohol Abuse/DependenceBehavior requiring paperworkSigns for Depression/AnxietyPsychotic BehaviorSigns of suicidal ideationConsistently unable to control angerIncreasing withdrawal and isolation
- 15. PTSD Symptoms Impact onSocial SupportPTSD and associated problems can reduce available social supportEmotional numbingDetachment Hostility and aggressionDistrust of othersSocial problem solving deficitsAs symptoms persist, individuals may tire of providing support or exhaust resourcesCDP
- 16. Relation between PTSD and Social SupportOne of the strongest predictors of recovery following trauma is social supportDeterioration of perceived social support over time may contribute to increased symptoms In general, families provide a primary source of social support, with intimate partners typically the chief source
- 17. Other Types of Deployment Stress
- 18. Deployment Cycle and Family Considerations
- 19. Why is the family important?Each gear impacts the ability of the service member to complete theMission.
- 20. Stressors in the Deployment CyclePre-deploymentNotificationPreparationTrainingReturn from DeploymentReunionReintegrationDeploymentDepartureSustainmentCombat and conflict
- 21. Pre-Deployment StressorsPreparednessShifting expectationsChanges in family dynamicsAnticipation of threatsPerception of MissionLack of information/RumorsBriefing by David Riggs, June 2007
- 22. Pre-Deployment Stressors - SpousesConfusionDenialResentmentArguingWorryingPlanningBriefing by Doug Lehman, May 2008
- 23. Pre-Deployment Stressors - Kids Confusion
- 24. Regression
- 25. Anger Outbursts
- 26. Sadness
- 27. Surprise
- 28. Guilt
- 29. Behavioral problemsBriefing by Doug Lehman, May 2008
- 30. Pre-Deployment Stressors - Adolescents“I don’t care”Fear of rejectionDenial of feelingsAngerHigher value on friendsBriefing by Doug Lehman, May 2008
- 31. Stressors in the Deployment CyclePre-deploymentNotificationPreparationTrainingReturn from DeploymentReunionReintegrationDeploymentDepartureSustainmentCombat and conflict
- 32. Stressors in the Deployment CyclePre-deploymentNotificationPreparationTrainingReturn from DeploymentReunionReintegrationDeploymentDepartureSustainmentCombat and conflict
- 33. Common Stressors SMCDPEditors Charles Figley and William Nash, Combat Stress Injury (2007)
- 34. Change in Mindset: SMCDP
- 35. Family Re-Adjustmentcan be like driving in San Antonio
- 36. It can be hard to figure out how to merge safely
- 37. Many times families will confuse normal adjustment issues for serious problems or vice versa.
- 38. Most service members and families expect that the service member or the family will remain unchanged.
- 39. Knowing thedifference between expected adjustment issues and mental health problems often depends on time.
- 40. “IF YOU WENT TO WAR AND WEREN’T CHANGED, YOU WERE CRAZY BEFORE YOU LEFT.”Ch. Morris, Minnesotata
- 41. Changes for FamilyFamily has…Service Member’s Return can…• New routines• New responsibilities • More independence and confidence• Made many sacrifices• Worried, felt lonely• Gone through milestones that were missed• Interrupt routine• Disrupt space• Throw off decision making• Cause family to walk on tip toes• Not make everything perfect • Not replace the sacrifices and missed milestonesCDP
- 42. Community Partnering to Maximize Positive Outcome
- 43. Common Issues during CrisesNot necessarily dissimilar than general civilian populationDomestic issues/ Relationship issuesFinancial problemsLegal IssuesCircumstances may be differentMay not have family nearbyPossible exposure to violence in theaterInjured/Wounded Service Member
- 44. Get to knowMilitary Leadership Military PoliceMilitary Mental Health/MedicalVA and other veteran’s resourcesOn Line and Community Resources
- 45. They May Be Able to Help WithInformation about service member and or familyInformation about what member’s unit has gone throughLinks to family and other resourcesPossibly medical and personal historyResources to collaborate with training Follow-through after an event