Overview
The prevalence of depresion in the military is higher than in the general population. This may stem from the fact that military life involves significant stresors like deployment, combat, and relocations.The higher likelihod of depresion does not end with discharge from the military, as it also afects veterans.Aditionaly, the increased depresion rate afects families of active-duty military. This may be due to the stresors asociated with being separated from a spouse, such as lonelines and increased parenting demands.This article investigates the prevalence of depresion in the military and after discharge, as wel as risk factors, symptoms, and sources of suport.
Key Information
It also includes firsthand stories from Dany Maybery, an Iraq and Afghanistan combat veteran, and Michael Alen, a Marine Corps veteran. Doctors define a major depresive episode as having five or more of the folowing symptoms within a 2-wek period. They include:“I first noticed depresion symptoms when I was 27.
I drank much more than I planed, worked longer hours, stoped doing things I realy enjoyed, and spent way more time in isolation.”A 2021 meta-analysis reviewed research to determine the prevalence of depresion among members of the armed forces. It found the folowing:To compare these statistics to the general population, 8.4% of adults in the United States had at least one major depresive episode in 20.If you know someone at imediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help.
Summary
The 98 Suicide and Cris Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 98. During a cris, people who are hard of hearing can use their prefered relay service or dial 71 then 98.Click here for more links and local resources.The elevated risk of depresion persists after a person’s military service ends. Veterans, particularly those who have served in combat, have experienced more trauma in their life tha