Mental Health for military spouses is a tricky subject.
Navigating a mental health crisis is never easy. Mental health for military spouses can be especially difficult.
Coping with and recovering from a mental health battle as a member of the military community (whether active duty or dependent) presents challenges not faced by other populations. Deployments, TDYs, PCS-ing, new assignments, finding a Tricare approved provider, frequent changes in PCM and stigma are just a some of the factors affecting mental health among those in or affiliated with our armed forces.
If you can relate to anything above, this is a place for you. I have a message of hope for you.
Let my experience offer you hope, encouragement and insight.
In 2014 I began suffering from anxiety while stationed at Minot, AFB with my husband. Before finding full, lasting recovery in the summer of 2016 I fell into the depths of a frightening (even life-threatening) depression. I sought help, but the dynamic of life as a military spouse and the military healthcare system created peculiar roadblocks toward healing.
While searching for answers and help getting to the root of the anxiety and depressive disorder I was experiencing I faced dismissiveness, inability to book appointments, implication that my mental health could negatively affect my husband’s career, multiple PCM changes (a lack of healthcare continuity), a lack of privacy, TDY separations and orders to move in the middle of my mental health crisis. The stigma of admitting my mental health struggle was real, heavy and painful.
I wanted a better way to live. I didn’t want to be trapped by mental illness, but felt hopeless, helpless and confused. Every time I made some progress something major would shift in our life and it all came crashing down again. Attempting to recover as a military spouse seemed like playing Jenga inside a bounce house.
My experience wasn’t seamless. There were many times I met dead ends as I sought help and received hurtful counsel from military healthcare professionals along the way.
Normalize Conversations About Mental Health For Military Spouses, You’re Worth More
It’s time to normalize conversations about mental health, eliminate stigma and illuminate the path toward healing within our military family. Finding help and overcoming anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders is possible—even in our dynamic lifestyle. By sharing what I’ve learned I aim to help others avoid plummeting to a crisis (like me), and more quickly reach a place of stability and recovery.
I’m here to cheer on our military community as it becomes a better, safer space for getting mental healthcare. I’m here to advocate for true resilience—not just putting on a brave face.
Mostly, I’m here to testify that overcoming a mental health crisis as a military spouse is possible. You can find peace, you can thrive despite the difficult circumstances this lifestyle presents. You aren’t alone. You aren’t a burden. Your value doesn’t come from how well you handle all the things while your spouse is away—or how seamlessly you deal with change.
No, friend. Your value comes from something more precious than that. God named your value when He created you in His image and deemed you worthy of the ransom He paid rescue you from the penalty of sin—death. This ransom was paid with the blood of Jesus, God’s own Son. (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Your worth runs deep. God’s peace and goodness can triumph over any circumstances. I’ve seen it happen in my life and I know it can happen in your life too.
How Can I Help You? I’m Here to Serve.
Let’s work together to bring positive change to the intersection of military life and mental health. Here’s how I can help.
- Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook or sign up for my monthly newsletter to be notified of new resources, blog posts and events.
- Schedule a consultation call. Ask me anything you’d like about my experience with mental health and military life. Contact me here.
- Let me join your group. I’d love to share my experience and offer hope to your group in person or virtually. Contact me here.
- Use my experience (the good and bad bits) to better serve your people. If you are in a leadership or ministering to the military community, I’d can help you strategize ways to support mental health for those you serve. Contact me here.
