Mission: Family: Enlisted leader’s admission may spur more to seek behavioral treatment - Marine Corps Community, discussions, blogs, photos & video - Marine Corps Times

Mission: Family: Enlisted leader’s admission may spur more to seek behavioral treatment

With just a few words, the Army’s senior enlisted adviser sent a powerful message to troops and their families on Capitol Hill recently — and not just to soldiers, but to service members in all branches.

At a public hearing of the House Appropriations Committee’s military construction and veterans affairs panel, Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler acknowledged having had two years of behavioral health treatment.

“It has made a difference in my life and my wife being with me today,” Chandler said.

His personal admission came as he discussed the importance of behavioral health programs, and the Army’s efforts to increase these services for soldiers and families — while battling the stubborn, long-standing stigma that prevents many troops from seeking such help for fear of being seen as weak.

Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, commended Chandler for his testimony. “It ought to be shared,” he said, noting that some troops avoid getting help because they think it will hurt their careers.

Carter told Chandler that he is a prime example of how that is not the case. “We’re very proud to have you,” Carter said.

Too many troops and too many family members are fearful of seeking help to deal with the many challenges they have faced, and are still facing, over the past decade of war and loss.

Leaders have urged people to seek help, and have been working hard to extend the support network and add more programs.

Like the other services, the Army has worked to increase the number of behavioral health providers in the last few years, despite a nationwide shortage of such specialists.

While the Army is still short about 400 behavioral health providers, Chandler said his service would be in far worse shape without the recent gains in staffing.

The Army is continuing to work on it, Chandler said.

He closed by saying that the ongoing effort “has made a difference in my life and I know in soldiers’ lives.”

When the Army’s top enlisted soldier makes such a public statement about the help he has received and the impact it has had on his life, he makes a difference in troops’ lives now and in the future.

Seeking help when you need it is not a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of strength.

Karen Jowers is the wife of a military retiree. Email her at kjowers@militarytimes.com