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SUBJ/MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH//
RMKS/1. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to help each
other recognize the many ways that behavioral health conditions impact our
lives, as well as our individual and team readiness. It is also an opportune
time to remind ourselves to advocate for those experiencing life stressors,
as well as an opportunity to highlight existing resources and services
available to the Navy and Marine Corps team to ensure the delivery of the
most appropriate service to meet Service Member needs.
Military service can be complex, presenting stressors that are wide-reaching
and have readiness impacts to our Sailors, Marines, their families, and our
civilian workforce. As you stand the watch on behalf of the American people,
I ask you to take time to look out for yourself and those who serve alongside
you. I encourage you to reach out to others and focus on fostering social
connectedness, particularly those connections that may have been weakened
during the pandemic. Social connectedness is integral to our readiness as it
not only improves our mental health and well-being but strengthens our
immunity and can even increase our longevity.
You are never alone and there is no wrong door to get help. We have a full
range of mental health resources that include mental health and medical
professionals, family counselors, chaplains, and other support services to
help you get the right care, at the right level, when you need it. Mental
health services are available across the globe at military medical treatment
facilities, above, on, and below the sea, and embedded within operational
units. We have non-medical mental health resources available through our
Fleet and Family Support Centers, Marine Corps Community Services, Military
and Family Life Counseling, Deployment Resiliency Counselors, the
Psychological Help Outreach Program, Veterans Affairs Vet Centers, and
Military OneSource. Our chaplains provide confidential counseling and foster
spiritual readiness. Our civilian teammates can access a wide range of
services through the Civilian Employee Assistance Program.
Share with others when you have positive experiences seeking and receiving
counseling. I especially encourage leaders to set this example. We have a
duty to remove stigma, and encourage others to make time for their mental
health. Your actions can encourage a shipmate to get the help they need.
Check in often with your fellow Sailors and Marines. Help them feel more
socially connected. Do not wait until you see them struggling. When they
need additional support, help them get connected to services that can provide
assistance. You can be the difference. Together, we must fight stigma,
promote mental health education, and normalize taking care of our mental
health.
2. Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.
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