Published: August 28, 2023
The ripple effects of military service reverberate far beyond the battlefield, reaching into the homes and lives of those who love and care for our veterans and active service members. These loved ones often stand as the first line of defense in the war against mental health crises, a role of paramount importance yet largely unacknowledged. In the face of this critical need, Blue Star Families, through their “Combat the Silence” campaign and the introduction of the Blue Star Support Circles, shines a spotlight on these unsung heroes, empowering them with knowledge, tools, and the collective strength of shared experiences.
In the grim backdrop of escalating suicide rates among veterans and military personnel, the call for action rings louder than ever. Traditional approaches focusing solely on the individual in crisis have proved insufficient. It is time to recognize and capitalize on the potential of family members and friends, a resource often overlooked in strategies for mental health intervention.
The Blue Star Support Circles initiative embodies this perspective shift. By creating cohorts of loved ones connected to a service member or veteran, the program aims to foster supportive networks primed with understanding and preparedness to intervene before a struggle escalates into a crisis.
The power of such networks cannot be overstated. Family members and friends are often the first to notice subtle changes in behavior, mood, or attitude, the unspoken signs of an unfolding mental health crisis. However, without proper knowledge and resources, they may feel helpless, unsure of the right steps to take. The Blue Star Support Circles address this gap, arming participants with the necessary knowledge through eight weeks of virtual courses led by mental health experts.
But the role of these cohorts extends beyond the realms of training and crisis intervention. By bringing together people who share common experiences and concerns, the initiative cultivates a community of understanding, a safe space where fears, frustrations, and triumphs can be shared openly, and where stigma has no place. This sense of community can be a lifeline in itself, fostering resilience and offering comfort amidst the challenges of supporting a loved one facing mental health issues.
In embracing this community-based approach, the “Combat the Silence” campaign not only provides immediate upstream solutions to the crisis at hand but also plants the seeds for a cultural shift. A shift from silence and stigma surrounding mental health in the military to open conversations, mutual support, and proactive intervention.
As we rally behind the Combat the Silence campaign and champion the invaluable role of families and friends, we must also remember that this is not their battle to fight alone. As a society, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our veterans, service members, and their support networks have access to the resources and assistance they need. The campaign beckons us to heed this call, to combat the silence together, because the strength of a circle, after all, lies in its unity.
By Hope Petersen
Posted In: Combat the Silence