Military psychiatry covers special aspects ofpsychiatry andmental disorders within the military context.[1][2] The aim of military psychiatry is to keep as many serving personnel as possible fit for duty and to treat those disabled by psychiatric conditions.[1] Military psychiatry encompasses counseling individuals and families on a variety of life issues, often from the standpoint oflife strategy counseling, as well as counseling formental health issues,substance abuse prevention andsubstance abuse treatment; and where called for,medical treatment for biologically based mental illness, among other elements.
A military psychiatrist is apsychiatrist—whetheruniformed officer or civilian consultant—specializing in the treatment ofmilitary personnel and military family members suffering frommental disorders that occur within the statistical norm for any population, as well as those disorders consequent towarfare and also stresses associated withmilitary life.[3]
From the 1960sArne Sund, the chief psychiatrist of theNorwegian Armed Forces medical service, "established Norwegian military psychiatry as leading withinNATO" and became the "founder of the research field ofdisaster psychiatry," that evolved from military psychiatry.[4]
TRICARE is a health program offered touniformed service members,national guard or reserve members, survivors, former spouses,Medal of Honor recipients, and their families through theUnited States Department of DefenseMilitary Health System.[5] Upon enrollment,active duty members and their families gain access to emergency and non-emergency mentalhealth care. In the case of amental health emergency, members are advised to go to the nearest hospitalemergency department. There is no requirement forprior authorization.Admissions must be reported to your regional contractor within 24 hours or the next business day. For non-emergency situations, active duty members must receive areferral and prior authorization for all mental health care.[6]
TheUnited States Department of Veteran Affairs offers mental health care toveterans through enrollment in VA health care. Benefits include emergency and non-emergency care. Emergency mental health care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through VA medical centers and the Veterans Crisis Line. Non-emergency mental health care services provided includeinpatient and outpatient care, rehabilitation treatment and residential (live-in) programs, and supported work settings. Conditions treated by the VA:[7]
Psychiatric disorders have been related to the greatest number of casualties and discharges in several wars.[8] Such conditions typically have somatic manifestations.[8] On-site,emergency psychiatric treatment reduces the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity within the military context.[8]
