Fighting a Different Battle: Prioritizing Mental Health for Our Veterans

Originally published on NorthJersey.com on February 19, 2025.

The military is often synonymous with strength, resilience, and discipline. From the very first day of basic training, recruits are thrust into an environment designed to challenge and break them down, both physically and mentally.

Personal comfort is stripped away—electronic devices are forbidden, meals are hurried, and emotions are pushed to their limits. This rigorous setting is meant to cultivate a warrior mindset, but beneath this armor of toughness lies a hidden reality: the mental health challenges faced by service members. Mental health awareness and acceptance within military culture are critical to addressing these invisible wounds.

The Reality of Mental Health in the Military

Both active-duty personnel and veterans endure stressors that most people never encounter. From the life-altering intensity of combat to the prolonged separation from loved ones, the military lifestyle can leave deep emotional and psychological scars.

These challenges can manifest in conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation.

Studies reveal that mental health issues are significantly more prevalent in military communities than in the general population. In fact, due to these issues, Veterans are at a 72% higher risk of suicide than those who haven’t served. This heightened risk has resulted in over 131,000 veteran deaths since 2001, with levels topping 6,000 per year for the past 20 years.

To put it in relative terms, the suicide rate for Veterans hovers around 34.7 per 100,00 in comparison to 17.1 per 100,000 for non-veteran U.S. adults. Despite these statistics, stigma, fear of career reprisal, and/or systemic challenges often prevent individuals from seeking help.

It is much more commonplace for service members to suppress these problems or even attempt to self-treat their mental health issues with varying forms of substance use.

Veterans are at a 72% higher risk of suicide than those who haven’t served.

Breaking the stigma

Mental health stigma within the military is a significant barrier to care. A culture that often equates mental illness with weakness leaves many feeling isolated and ashamed to speak up. Thankfully, the overall culture within the military is starting to shift in favor of mental health awareness and positivity.

In my experience during active-duty service and through the National Guard, top-down leadership has genuinely started to prioritize encouraging individuals to seek help when it’s needed. I’ve experienced this shift in various ways including mandatory resiliency days (dress down, camaraderie building exercises, etc.), bringing in outside therapists, and utilizing “first sergeants” in units who are leaders who actively promote squadron health and morale.

This elevated focus on mental health is key because continuing to address the stigma is critical—not only for individual well-being but also for mission readiness. A mentally healthy service member is more resilient, focused, and capable of performing their duties effectively.

The Importance of Peer and Family Support

Peers and family members also play a crucial role in mental health acceptance. Fellow service members who share their experiences can inspire others to take action. Family members provide emotional support and serve as a bridge to treatment. Educating veterans and their families about mental health is essential in creating a holistic support network.

Martin with APB graduates at Community Hope, a veteran mental illness, addiction, housing, and poverty center in Parsippany, NJ.

At the New Jersey Prevention Network (NJPN), we recognize these critical support systems and the value of educating veterans about mental health challenges. In this pursuit, NJPN offers three military-centric programs for veterans that aim to educate participants on stress management techniques, family bonding skills, healthy lifestyle choices, support networks, and more.

• Achieving Personal Balance (APB) is a specialized program designed to help active-duty service members and veterans develop practical coping strategies to manage stress, eliminate triggers, and alleviate anxiety. This program has recently been expanded to include first responders.

• Military Family Nights helps families learn how to manage stress responses, set boundaries, and build lasting relationships. The program facilitates communication and discussion amongst family members.

• WISE for Vets targets aging veterans and seeks to educate participants about medication safety, stress & depression management, and substance misuse.

These vital NJPN initiatives provide veterans with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate mental health challenges. Through these efforts, we strive to promote well-being, strengthen family connections, and

ensure that no veteran faces these struggles alone.

Moving Forward: A Culture of Acceptance

To create meaningful change, the military must prioritize mental health the same way it prioritizes physical health. This includes mandatory mental health education and training, continued investment in mental health programs, and recognizing and rewarding efforts to seek help as a sign of strength, not weakness.

By dismantling stigma, promoting open conversations, and ensuring access to resources, we can support those who serve both on and off the battlefield. Mental health is not a weakness, it is a cornerstone of resilience, and it’s time to prioritize it as such.

Learn more about NJPN’s military programs: https://www.njpn.org/military.

Support and Resources 

Military OneSource: Confidential counseling services for service members and their families. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

Veterans Crisis Line: A 24/7 hotline offering support for veterans in crisis. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

VA for Vets: Gateway to all things veteran affairs (jobs, benefits, health, etc.) https://www.vaforvets.va.gov/

Mental Health Providers on Base: Access to mental health professionals trained to address the unique experiences of military life.

NJPN Prevention Program Manager Martin Giancarli

By Martin Giancarli

Martin is a veteran of the active-duty Air Force and currently serves in the Air National Guard. As a Prevention Program Manager at the New Jersey Prevention Network, he coordinates state-funded programs dedicated to supporting the veteran community. With a passion for service and advocacy, Martin works to enhance resources and initiatives that promote the well-being of military personnel and veterans across New Jersey.