Many soldiers experience traumatic events that can negatively impact their mental health, but cultural expectations around strength and resilience often prevent them from seeking help. This article will discuss how these norms can lead to an unhealthy culture of silence and isolation, contributing to increased rates of suicide among service members.
Toughness and Stoicism in Military Culture
The military places a high value on toughness and stoicism, encouraging soldiers to suppress their emotions and power through difficult situations. This is seen in phrases like "suck it up" and "don't cry."
This culture of toughness can have serious consequences for soldiers' emotional development. It creates a sense of shame around expressing vulnerability and needing support, which can lead to bottled-up feelings and negative coping mechanisms such as substance abuse.
The Danger of Silence
When soldiers internalize the expectation to be strong and silent, they may feel isolated when experiencing difficulties. They may fear being perceived as weak or damaged if they seek help, even though seeking treatment is often necessary for healing. This can lead to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 11% of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom had PTSD in a given year between 20013 and 2015.
The VA reported that there were over 6,0000 confirmed or suspected veteran suicides in 2019 alone.
How to Break the Cycle
To combat these harmful norms, the military needs to create a culture where soldiers are supported and encouraged to seek help when needed. This means normalizing mental health care and providing access to resources like therapy and medication. It also means redefining what it means to be a soldier - from one who must suppress their emotions at all costs to one who can acknowledge vulnerability and ask for support. With this shift in mindset, service members will no longer have to suffer in silence and can get the help they need to heal and thrive.
How do military norms around toughness and stoicism affect soldiers' emotional development?
The military often emphasizes toughness and stoicism as essential qualities for success on the battlefield. This can lead to an environment where expressing emotions is discouraged or seen as weakness, which can impact the development of emotional skills necessary for healthy relationships both inside and outside of the military context.