Man Therapy, launched in 2013, continues to be a groundbreaking resource for mental health, particularly in addressing the unique challenges faced by tough-minded individuals, including those in the military and veteran communities. Recognizing the need for a more targeted approach, a specific focus on military personnel and veterans was introduced in 2015 to offer tailored resources that resonate deeply with this group. Today, Man Therapy remains as relevant as ever, now available in Spanish, helping us collectively shift the narrative from one of hopelessness to one of hope through proactive action. By encouraging our military members and veterans to take the 18-Point Head Inspection, we empower them to actively engage in their mental health journey, reinforcing that strength is not just physical but mental resilience, too.

New York Times Article on Man Therapy: How to Get More Men to Try Therapy

Shifting the Message to Strength, Peer Support and Action

Traditional Messaging Creates a Sense of Urgency…But Not Much Hope

The constant beat of the major media drum often paints a grim picture of Veterans and suicide. Sometimes we wonder if these messages become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Consistent headlines include data such as:

Daily Veteran Suicide Deaths: In 2021, an average of 17.5 veterans died by suicide each day, totaling 6,392 deaths that year. Mental Health VA
Active-Duty Suicide Deaths: In 2021, there were 519 reported suicides among active-duty service members, averaging approximately 1.4 per day. Mental Health VA
Suicide Rate Comparison: The suicide rate among veterans was 31.7 per 100,000 in 2020, about 57% higher than the non-veteran adult population rate of 16.1 per 100,000. Mental Health VA

Those listening to this regular negative narrative often express a collective concern and urgency on how best to support our active Military and Veterans.

Let’s Focus on Strength, Leadership and Recovery

While many Veterans have several risk factors for suicide that contribute to the dire suicide statistics mentioned, many also have tremendous resilience and coping mechanisms and many have been helped by treatment.

Employers and others who would like to support Veterans are not always clear on how to be a "military-friendly community." What is not always expressed in these media reports about statistics and risks is the incredible resilience and resourcefulness our Veterans have when facing many daunting challenges and the many ways that they have learned to cope.

Risk Factors Include:

• A strong identity in a fearless, stoic, risk-taking and macho culture

• Exposure to trauma and possible traumatic brain injury

• Common practices of self-medication through substance abuse

• Strong biased and negative views of people with mental health conditions

• Access to and familiarity with lethal means

Protective Factors Include:

• Camaraderie and powerful sense of belonging within Military and Veteran communities

• Access to mental health services through the VA

• Mission-oriented mindset, connecting them to a strong purpose

• Practical skills and experience for post-service employment

MAN THERAPY FOR MILITARY & VETERANS

The partners behind Man Therapy set out to learn more about these questions and conducted a six-month needs and strength assessment involving two in-person focus groups and two national focus groups with representation from Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and family perspectives.

When asked how we could best reach them, what issues they'd like to see addressed, and what resources they need, here is what they told us:

"I think that when you reach out to the Vets, do it with humor and compassion...Give them something to talk about in the humor, they will come back when no one is looking for the compassion." They often mentioned they preferred a straightforward approach that wasn't overly statistical, clinical or wordy.

Make seeking help easy. A few mentioned they liked an anonymous opportunity to check out their mental health from the privacy of their own home. Additionally, a concern exists among Veterans who assume some other service member would need a resource more, so they hesitate to seek help, in part, because they don't want to take away a resource from "someone who may really need it." Having universal access through the Internet gets around this issue.

New content requests: "We need to honor the warrior in transition. The loss of identity is a big deal along with camaraderie and cohesion. Who I was, who I am now, who I am going to be..."

The top request for content was about how to manage the transition from military life to civilian life. The loss of identity and not knowing who "has your back" is significant. Several were incredibly concerned about being judged for PTS (no "D"-- as the stress response they experience is a normal response to an abnormal situation). Requests for content also included:

1. Post-traumatic stress and growth

2. Traumatic brain injury

3. Military sexual trauma

4. Fatherhood and relationships, especially during deployment

Finally, they offered some suggestions that the best ways to reach Veterans are through trusted peers, family members, and leaders with "vicarious credibility."

Because of these needs and suggestions, an innovative online tool called "Man Therapy" now offers male Military/Veterans a new way to self-assess for mental health challenges and link to resources.

In addition to mental health support, many other things can be done to support Veterans

• Hire a Veteran. Because they make excellent employees, and it's one of the best ways we can help support their mental health and their transition back into civilian life. https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/dr-sally-speaks-blog/2018/10/8/what-can-we-do-to-help-veterans-mental-health-hire-them

• Financial Management and Planning: http://www.military.com/money

• Animal Assisted Therapy for Veterans: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/animal-assisted-therapies.asp

In conclusion, we owe it to our service members to provide them with resources and support and to listen carefully to the challenges and barriers that prevent them from fully thriving. Learn how you can be a part of the solution instead of just focusing on the problem.

REFERENCES

US Department of Veteran Affairs (2013, February 1). U.S. military veteran suicide rise, one dies every 65 minutes. Reuters, Retrieved from mobile.reuters.com. July 2,2015

Hargarten, J., Buurnson, F., Campo, B., and Cook, C. (2013, August 24) Veteran suicides: Twice as high as civilian rates. Retrieved from backhome.news21.com/article/suicide/ July 2, 2015

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2023). 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2023/2023-National-Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Annual-Report-FINAL-508.pdf

Note: The original version of this blog appeared on ManTherapy.org, as a White Paper by:

Sally Spencer-Thomas, Psy.D.,
Professional Speaker & Impact Entrepreneur ;
Jarrod Hindman, MS,
Former Director, Office of Suicide Prevention
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment;
Joe Conrad,
CEO & Founder,
Cactus Marketing and Communications