Why Many Military Members and First Responders Don’t Seek Mental Health Treatment

If you're in the military or a first responder role, you're trained to push through.

You handle stress. You stay focused. You get the job done.

But when something changes—sleep, mood, focus—it’s not always easy to recognize it as depression. And even when you do, getting help can feel complicated.

The Hidden Barrier To Mental Health Treatment: Career Risk

More than half of service members and first responders with mental health conditions do not seek care¹.

Because treatment can feel like a threat to your career:

• Duty limitations

• Deployment restrictions

• Security clearance concerns

• Loss of flight status

• Fear of stigma

A majority of pilots—56%—report avoiding healthcare due to fear of losing certification⁵.

When Depression Doesn’t Look Like Depression

Depression often shows up as:

• Irritability or anger

• Trouble sleeping

• Difficulty concentrating

• Feeling disconnected

• Increased substance use

• Loss of interest

The Cost of Staying Silent

The impact can be serious:

• Strained relationships

• Reduced performance

• Increased risk of long-term mental health issues

Suicide risk remains elevated in these populations² ³ ⁴, yet many are not engaged in treatment³.

You Have Options

Treatment doesn’t have to mean compromising your career.

Learn how TMS offers a different approach.

References

1. Coleman SJ, Stevelink SAM, Hatch SL, Denny JA, Greenberg N. Stigma-Related Barriers and Facilitators to Help Seeking for Mental Health Issues in the Armed Forces: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Literature. Psychological Medicine. 2017;47(11):1880-1892.

2. Bahraini N, Bodie C, Brenner LA, et al. Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide (2024). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline. Published April 1, 2024.

3. Nichter B, Stein MB, Norman SB, et al. Prevalence, Correlates, and Treatment of Suicidal Behavior in US Military Veterans: Results From the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2021;82(5):20m13714.

4. Ravindran C, Morley SW, Stephens BM, Stanley IH, Reger MA. Association of Suicide Risk With Transition to Civilian Life Among US Military Service Members. JAMA Network Open. 2020;3(9):e2016261.

5. Hoffman WR, Aden J, Barbera RD, et al. Healthcare Avoidance in Aircraft Pilots Due to Concern for Aeromedical Certificate Loss: A Survey of 3765 Pilots. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2022;64(4):e245-e248.

6. MacDermid JC, Lomotan M, Hu MA. Canadian Career Firefighters' Mental Health Impacts and Priorities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(23):12666.