There are many benefits of joining the Air Force, but many of our Airmen deal with unique challenges that can impact their mental health. Without the proper help, mental health issues can start to impact different parts of an Airmen’s life, including their career, personal relationships, and financial stability. Below, we discuss how serving in the Air Force can impact your mental health, common mental health challenges experienced by Airmen, and resources and tips to help you improve your mental well-being.

Different Ways the Air Force Can Impact Your Mental Health

Mental health issues aren’t guaranteed just because you’re an Airman, but many members of the Air Force do struggle with their mental health. There are many different reasons why Airmen may struggle with their mental health as a result of their service, such as:

●Physical injuries sustained at work or in combat

●Deployment into combat situations

●Traumatic experiences

●Isolation from family and friends

●Losing a fellow Airman

The transition from service to the civilian world also poses its own challenges, which can contribute to poor mental health without the proper resources or assistance. The more someone struggles with their mental health, the easier it is to develop further issues, such as family tension, homelessness, financial strain, social isolation, and more. This can turn into a vicious cycle of worsening mental health issues without the proper help or intervention.

Common Mental Health Conditions Impacting Our Airmen

There are a wide range of mental health conditions that can affect Airmen, but some are more common and related to their service than others. Some of the most common conditions include:

●Depression and anxiety

●Substance abuse

●Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

●Suicide

Conditions like PTSD will have symptoms like depression and anxiety as part of the diagnosis. Using substances often makes mental health conditions worse, especially if the use turns into abuse or a substance abuse disorder. It’s important to get treatment for any mental health conditions to prevent them from worsening and to improve your outlook.

Signs and Symptoms You May Need Mental Health Treatment

If you or a loved one is struggling with their mental health, there are often signs or symptoms you can look for that indicate intervention or treatment is needed. Keep a lookout for things like:

●Substance use to manage uncomfortable feelings

●Low feelings or mood

●Little to no interest in once-enjoyed hobbies or activities

●Trouble concentrating or maintaining focus

●Social withdrawal or isolation

●Failing to care for your well-being

●Losing out on sleep or loss of appetite

●Memory problems

●Failing to care for yourself, family, and home

●Difficulty performing at work

●Suicidal ideation

Keep in mind that some of these symptoms aren’t always symptoms of mental health issues. However, they are common in people with mental health conditions and when more than one occurs at a time, it may be worth considering treatment. If you notice these signs or symptoms in yourself or a loved one, you should think about seeking mental health treatment or looking for resources to help.

Mental Health Resources for Airmen

The exact treatment or help you’ll need will depend on what condition or symptoms you’re struggling with and the severity. Airmen will have access to civilian resources, but there are also additional resources specific to their status as one of our troops. If you’re looking for resources to help you with your mental health, consider some of the following options:

●Military Crisis Line: One of the most important resources available to Airmen is the Military Crisis Line, which is a 24/7 crisis helpline to help Airmen and service members from other branches in moments of dire need. You can reach this crisis helpline by dialing 988 and pressing 1 or sending a text message to 838225. If you would rather speak to someone online, they have an online chat available 24/7.

●Military treatment centers: You can use the TRICARE location finder to find a mental health treatment center accessible to you. You’ll be able to meet with a doctor to talk about your mental health challenges and find a method of treatment that works for you, whether that includes medication, therapy, or something else.

●Psychological Health Resource Center: If you have questions concerning your or a loved one’s mental health, you can call or contact the PHRC to get in touch with a mental healthcare consultant who can talk with you about your mental health concerns. They can help you assess your mental well-being and find available resources to help you get on the right track.

●Chain of command: If you’re an active duty Airman, you can speak with your chain of command during office hours. Your chain of command will know the proper resources to get you the help you need or they can get you in contact with someone who does. Try not to view seeking help from your command as a sign of weakness. Being willing to talk with them directly about your mental health challenges is a sign of strength and can help you find the help you need.

●Support groups: Talking with others who can relate to what you’re going through can be beneficial in the healing process and can make you feel less isolated from your feelings. You can find support groups specifically for Airmen who can better relate to your experiences, but you can also find support groups for specific conditions, like PTSD or depression.

Ways You Can Improve Your Mental Health

Seeking treatment is important, but it’s equally as important to take steps to improve your mental health at home. Changing your lifestyle habits can make a big difference, especially since you will have to deal with regular stressors as part of your work. Below, you’ll find some tips for improving your mental health at home and ways to find relief while you’re seeking professional training.

1. Take Time to Decompress

Working as an Airmen can be stressful and can have a lasting effect, even once your contract ends or you retire. Service-related conditions such as depression or PTSD can create life-long challenges and impact your mental well-being.

It’s important to set some time aside each day to relax, especially if you’ve had a particularly stressful day or experienced a difficult event. Make some time to do something that makes you calm and brings you joy, such as listening to music, going for a walk, or taking a warm bath. Make sure whatever you do is designated for relaxation and leave any stressors in your life behind for a moment. Decompressing each day will make it easier to manage your stress throughout the day and it can improve your mental well-being.

2. Take Care of Your Physical Health

You won’t feel your best mentally if you’re not doing well physically. Poor physical health can actually worsen your mental health. Make an effort each day to take care of yourself, which means eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising. Doing these things will help you have the energy you need to focus on your mental health and getting treatment.

3. Spend Time Doing Things You Enjoy

If there’s something you really enjoy doing, you should make time to do it regularly. It’s important for your mental health to engage in your hobbies and passions since engaging in these activities can boost your natural dopamine levels. Dopamine is a natural chemical in the brain that helps us feel happy and motivated, so doing what you can naturally to increase this hormone can go a long way in improving your mental health.

If you’re struggling with a low mood and aren’t finding as much interest in activities you usually enjoy, try to make an effort to participate in the activity anyway, even if you initially don’t want to. You may be surprised to feel your mood improve once you get going.

4. Consider Making a Self-Care Kit

It can be challenging to care for yourself once your mental health symptoms kick in, especially on a bad day. You can plan for this in advance by creating a self-care kit that has what you need to care for yourself, which may help you feel better when you’re feeling down. Fill the kit with things that make you happy, whether that’s bath bombs and blankets or stress balls and a good book. You should also include items that will help you care for your physical health, such as face wash, sleeping masks, vitamins, and other items.

5. Speak With Someone

Talking with someone when you’re feeling low is a great way to express how you’re feeling. You may feel ashamed to talk about it, but your loved ones are there for you and they will be glad you spoke about it rather than bottling it up and letting your mental health get worse. Your loved ones will also understand you better when they know what’s going on in your mind.

You can also speak with a professional if you feel like you need help managing your mental health and want to learn different coping mechanisms. A professional can help you create a plan to improve your mental health long-term, whether it’s through regular therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

AUSI Offers Our Gratitude and Support to Our Airmen

Our Airmen are sacrificing their time and even their lives to support and protect our country, and those of us at American Uniform Sales would like to extend our gratitude and support. Our aim with this blog was to provide our Airmen with valuable information, resources, and tools to improve their mental health so they can lead fulfilling lives during and after their service. We hope you or a loved one can find the help they need after making such an honorable sacrifice for this country. We hope to provide more resources for our Airmen in future blogs so they can improve their well-being and succeed in their careers.