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Mental Health in the Army

The Washington Post reports that Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli says that suicide rates in the army are rising. Substance abuse issues are also a problem and the army needs to fill 800 behavioral health positions (including? 300 substance abuse counseling positions).

The sudden attention on mental health issues and the armed forces is most likely due to the recent murders of 13 soldiers at Fort Hood by an army psychiatrist and the fierce debate in the media about whether this was an act of terrorism or a crime committed by someone with a serious mental health issue, or both.

Posted in Addiction Treatment, Mental Health Professionals, Therapy Patients.

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By richard – November 18, 2009

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"A valuable resource for patients and practitioners alike, setting the standard for therapy and counseling practice. If you know anyone considering therapy, or who is unhappy with their therapist, make sure they read this book."

-Tom Butler-Bowdon, author of 50 Psychology Classics, 50 Self-Help Classics

Amazon Bestseller, NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) Advocate Book Pick, Dec., 2009

From Therapy Revolution (HCI Books), Chapter 4, Focus on Your First Appointment, Page 90

For Therapy Patients, Their Families, and Support Networks: You need to be prepared for every step of therapy, from finding a therapist, to the first few visits, to the very last session, and beyond. Become an educated patient and you will get more effective treatment.

During your first or second psychotherapy session, your therapist will ask you plenty of questions (and write down all your answers) in order to get to know as much as possible about you. These questions are collectively known as the Evaluation or the Biopsychosocial History. This and other useful checklists, charts, and questionnaires are included in Therapy Revolution, along with easy-to-understand tips and pointers, real-life patient interviews, and more.

Biopsychosocial History/Evaluation Checklist
[When your therapist does your evaluation], make sure that at least the following topics are included in the questions he or she asks:

1. Identifying data/demographic data (social security number, date of birth, sex, race, emergency contact information, living situation)
2. Alcohol and drug history (including over-the-counter and prescription medications, herbal or nutritional remedies, and illegal drugs and alcohol; how drugs are administered; frequency of use; age first used; date last used; progression of use; withdrawal symptoms; history of treatment programs/hospitalizations; symptoms and complications of alcohol and drug history)
3. Mental health history (including medication history and compliance, allergies to medications, history of treatment programs/hospitalizations, and symptoms and complications of that history, including harm to self or others)
4. Medical history (including medication history and compliance, allergies to medications, hospitalizations, chronic and/or life-threatening illnesses, and symptoms and past and current complications of that history)
5. Other topics (sexual history, educational history, vocational history, financial history, legal history, social history, family/significant other, gambling history, nicotine history, eating disorders, spirituality, leisure, military history)
6. Reason for seeking treatment
7. Questions specific to present stage of life (childhood, adolescence, geriatric, etc., as needed)

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