Helping Each Other Overcome Stigma

Veterans, along with some understanding civilians help, have been doing this since Vietnam and involving Veterans of all previous conflicts as well as those that served after.

Servicemembers and Veterans Use Programs to Help Each Other Overcome Stigma

15 December 2010 - Veterans and servicemembers may be able to help each other overcome stigma in seeking psychological help, officials said during a webinar on combating stigma in the military hosted by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE).

John Greden, MD, executive director for the University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center and chair for National Network of Depression Centers, said that Michigan Army National Guard is using what is called the Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran program to help servicemembers who have returned from combat overcome stigma in seeking help. The program was developed by a team of military service members, veterans, veteran advocates, and healthcare professionals from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.

Surveys suggest that while many returning veterans need behavioral health- care, many are reluctant to actually seek it because they fear it will be on their military records or that they will be treated differently by unit leadership.

The Michigan Army National Guard uses the Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer program to train veterans to serve as peer support for other veterans. {continued}