Army's Mental Health Stigma Campaign

Army Launches Mental Health Campaign "Dont Bottle It Up" to Stamp Out Stigma

The Army has launched a campaign called “Don’t Bottle It Up” which is targeted at all serving personnel (both regular and reserve) and focuses on the stigma surrounding Mental Health.  The campaign which will run over several months aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental ill health, signpost the support & care services already available and to encourage personnel to seek help if they need it, formally or informally.

“Matters of the mind are not an easy topic of conversation” admitted Lt Col Tony Rock, the man charged with leading the Army's first ever campaign to tackle the stigma of mental health.  “People need to start thinking of mental health problems as an illness or injury, not a character defect.  There should be absolutely no shame in asking for help and those that do should be reassured that they will be treated the same as if they have an problems with their physical health”

Whilst current research indicates that the Armed Forces have no more of a problem with mental health issues than society as a whole certain groups within the Armed Forces may be more vulnerable to certain disorders and the MoD continues to fund research to study the mental health of serving personnel and veterans. Studies within the MoD that reported during 2010 highlighted the need to de-stigmatise issues around mental health as this was identified as the main barrier to individuals seeking help.

“Soldiers are reluctant to discuss mental health problems; they see it as a sign of weakness, that they are letting their mates down, their families down, their Chain of Command and themselves.  Failure to seek help could have consequences such as turning to excessive drinking or violence, particularly in a family environment”                                                                  

Lt Col Rock explained that the CoC is now far more aware of the impact of MH conditions on personnel.  “Speaking up will not affect your career in the longer term unless there is a major problem and for the majority of people that will not be the case; this is exactly the same as it would be for a physical injury”

“It is the self acknowledgement that there may be a problem that many people struggle with when it comes to mental health but the earlier you raise the problem the easier and quicker it can be treated. Talking about your problems is a sign of strength”