The Illinois National Guard faces unique challenges that can significantly impact the mental well-being of its members. Deployments, financial worries, family separations, and the stress of balancing military duties with civilian life can all take a toll. Recognizing these challenges, the Illinois National Guard has prioritized the psychological health of its soldiers and airmen, implementing comprehensive programs and resources to foster resilience and provide support when needed.
The Silent Battle: Mental Health in the Military
The stigma surrounding mental health issues often prevents individuals, especially those in demanding professions like the military, from seeking help. However, the Illinois National Guard is actively working to break down these barriers and create a culture where mental health is valued and support is readily available.
Understanding the Unique Stressors
Military service presents a unique set of stressors that can contribute to mental health challenges:
- Deployment Stress: The experience of deploying to unfamiliar and potentially dangerous environments can be highly stressful. Soldiers and airmen may face combat situations, witness traumatic events, and endure long periods of separation from their families.
- Reintegration Challenges: Returning home after deployment can be a difficult transition. Service members may struggle to readjust to civilian life, experience feelings of isolation, or face challenges in reconnecting with loved ones.
- Work-Life Balance: Balancing military duties with civilian employment, family responsibilities, and personal obligations can create significant stress for National Guard members.
- Financial Concerns: Financial instability can be a major source of stress for military families, especially during deployments or periods of active duty.
- The Impact of Trauma: Exposure to traumatic events, whether during combat or in civilian life, can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions.
Recognizing the Signs
It is essential to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health issues in service members. These can include:
- Changes in mood, such as increased irritability, anxiety, or depression
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Social withdrawal
- Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
- Suicidal thoughts
Comprehensive Support: Resources and Programs
The Illinois National Guard offers a wide array of psychological health resources designed to support service members and their families. These resources aim to promote mental wellness, prevent mental health problems, and provide timely and effective treatment when needed.
Director of Psychological Health
The Director of Psychological Health (DPH) serves as a key advocate and guide for National Guard members and their families. The DPH assists program managers and supervisors in improving services and overseeing individual mental health needs. They provide consultative guidance and support to senior management on state-specific mental health needs, based on member demographics and mental health status, and they also provide mental health training throughout the organization.
Behavioral Health Professionals
Each Army Guard brigade and Air Wing has dedicated behavioral health resources available to service members and their families. These professionals provide counseling, therapy, and other mental health services. The 182nd Airlift Wing even has its own Director of Psychological Health, who is a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience in mental health.
Unit Chaplains
Chaplains offer pastoral care and counseling to Illinois National Guard members and their families. They provide a confidential and non-judgmental space for individuals to discuss their concerns and seek spiritual guidance. To talk with a chaplain, members can contact their unit chaplain or the State Command Chaplain’s office.
Family Assistance Centers
Family Assistance Centers (FACs) are located at Camp Lincoln and select armories throughout Illinois. These centers provide a range of resources and support services to military families, including information on benefits, financial assistance, and mental health services.
Illinois Military Family Relief Fund
The Illinois Military Family Relief Fund (IMFRF) provides monetary grants to families of Illinois National Guard members and Illinois residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve components who were called to active duty during an emergency. These grants can help with food, housing, utilities, medical services, and other essential expenses.
Soldier Support Center
The Soldier Support Center at Camp Lincoln in Springfield offers various services to Soldiers and Airmen of the Illinois National Guard and retired military personnel. These services include Common Access Cards, dependent identification cards, DEERS enrollment, TRICARE assistance, and family assistance.
Integrative Prevention Officer
The Illinois National Guard has an Integrative Prevention Officer (IPO) who leads a team focused on preventing harmful behaviors such as sexual violence, self-directed harm, workplace violence and harassment, and family violence and abuse. The IPO and their team use a public health approach to address these issues, providing assistance to service members and their families.
Partnerships and External Resources
In addition to its internal resources, the Illinois National Guard partners with various state, federal, and private organizations to provide comprehensive support to its members and their families.
The Road Home Program
The Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center is dedicated to the mental health and wellness of veterans, service members, members of the National Guard, reservists, and their families. The program offers in-person therapy and counseling in Chicago and Effingham, as well as virtual services to Illinois residents.
Illinois Joining Forces
Illinois Joining Forces (IJF) serves military service members and veterans of all eras, branches, and discharge types, as well as their families statewide. IJF provides high-touch, holistic resource navigation through its Care Coordination Center.
Illinois Warrior Assistance Program
The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program (IWAP) helps veterans and their families cope with the emotional challenges associated with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The program is jointly coordinated by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA), the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the Governor’s Office, and the Illinois Department of Military Affairs, through Magellan Health Services, Inc.
Crisis Text Line
The Crisis Text Line is available for any crisis by texting HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States. A live, trained crisis counselor will respond to the text.
Military and Veterans Crisis Line
Any service member, veteran, or family member can call the Military and Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1, or texting 838255. This free, confidential support is available 24/7.
Illinois Warm Line
The Illinois Warm Line provides phone support to individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use challenges. Wellness Support Specialists, who have experienced mental health and/or substance use recovery themselves, are available to listen and provide support.
Suicide Prevention Training
The Illinois Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans and their Families offers free online suicide prevention training and continuing education credits. The training is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to understand and address the needs of service members, veterans, and their families.
Overcoming Stigma and Promoting Help-Seeking
One of the biggest challenges in addressing mental health within the military is overcoming the stigma associated with seeking help. Many service members worry that seeking mental health treatment will damage their careers or be seen as a sign of weakness. The Illinois National Guard is actively working to combat this stigma by:
- Promoting leadership support: Encouraging leaders at all levels to openly discuss mental health and encourage service members to seek help when needed.
- Providing education and training: Educating service members about mental health issues and the resources available to them.
- Ensuring confidentiality: Protecting the privacy of service members who seek mental health treatment.
- Highlighting success stories: Sharing stories of service members who have successfully overcome mental health challenges.
The Future of Mental Health Support
The Illinois National Guard is committed to continuously improving its mental health programs and resources. This includes:
- Expanding access to care: Increasing the availability of mental health services, especially in rural areas.
- Integrating mental health into all aspects of military life: Making mental health a routine part of training, readiness, and deployment.
- Utilizing technology: Leveraging technology to provide more accessible and convenient mental health services, such as telehealth and mobile apps.
- Strengthening partnerships: Collaborating with community organizations and other stakeholders to provide comprehensive support to service members and their families.
Conclusion
The Illinois National Guard understands that the mental health of its members is essential to mission readiness and overall well-being. By providing a comprehensive range of resources, promoting a culture of support, and continuously striving to improve its services, the Illinois National Guard is working to ensure that all service members have the opportunity to thrive, both personally and professionally. The commitment to psychological health is a testament to the dedication to those who serve and protect the state and nation.
