Work

Investigating the Psychiatric Lessons of War and Pattern of Preventable Wartime Behavioral Health Crises

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Background: After extensive review of official military records, government investigations, and news media accounts, the authors provide the first-ever examination of repetitive mental health crises after every major American war since the 20 th century.Method: Compelling evidence of generational crises is established using direct testimony from credible first-hand sources, clearly indicating that over the past century American society has continued to replicate preventable mental health crises.Results: This has largely been caused by repetitive failure to learn from and improve upon lessons learned about the psychiatric effects of war.The authors identify ten super ordinate "foundational lessons" essential to meeting wartime needs.Conclusion: Antiquated medical dualism, dysfunctional organizational structure, and leadership ambivalence toward mental health services are believed to promulgate a culture of mental health stigma, discrimination, and disparity.The key to transforming military mental healthcare and ending the cycle is to adopt a contemporary holistic mind-body approach emphasizing full-parity with medical services.

Source: Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Science

DOI: 10.15640/jpbs.v3n1a1

Authors: Mark C Russell, Charles R. Figley, Kirsten R. Robertson

Institutions: Antioch University Seattle, United States Navy, Tulane University

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W4248636723