U.S. Navy LCDR Philip Guajardo, a psychiatrist and the division officer at the behavioral health clinic, Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point (NHCCP). (Marine Corps photo taken by lance Cpl. Michael Neuenhoff) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
By: FEDweek StaffAfter showing a decline for a couple of years, mental health disorders among service members rose between 2021 and 2023.
According to the Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR), published by the Defense Health Agency, most cases involved disorders relating to adjustment, anxiety, depression, alcohol use, and “other” issues.
The largest number of total hospital bed days and second highest total of medical encounters in 2023 were directly attributable to mental health disorders, the report stated. It said that from 2019 through 2023, a total of 541,672 active component service members of the U.S. Armed Forces were diagnosed with at least 1 mental health disorder.
“Efforts to assist and treat service members should continue to promote help-seeking behavior to improve their psychological and emotional well-being and reduce the burden of mental health disorders, especially as rates have been increasing since the Covid-19 pandemic,” the report stated.
Overall rates of most diagnoses were higher among female service members. Adjustment disorders had a higher incidence among younger cohorts, while alcohol- and substance-related disorders were highest among male service members.
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