A decorated soldier spoke about the emotional fallout from physical injuries and PTSD after serving several tours of duty, including in combat; a mother of two shared details of the suicide of her husband, a member of the Army National Guard, in January 2023.
The stories were raw and honest, and exactly what Carla Schnitzlein, DO, hoped to generate in the first Military Mental Health Symposium sponsored by Natchaug Hospital, part of the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network.
Dr. Schnitzlein, Natchaug’s medical director, organized the day-long event to coax personal sharing while providing information and resources about mental health services for active and retired military personnel in Connecticut.
“We were able to create a forum where those attending felt comfortable sharing their experiences, which really added to the impact of the day,” she said. “I was surprised by how many did share and am grateful they were moved to do so.”
Retired Army Sgt. First Class Scott Hamby shared that, after retirement, he grappled depression and PTSD.
“I was 20 years old when I enlisted in 1998,” he said. “Five years after my retirement, I was in an existential crisis because I didn’t know who I was or what my given task and purpose were.”
He lost friends to both battle wounds and suicide, and he sought treatment after realizing he could not solve his issues alone.
Almost a year after her husband John killed himself, Tessa Harrington launched the podcast “Died by Suicide” to explore military suicides and to help heal.
“I knew he was struggling, drinking more and more,” she said. “But when he died, it was a surprise. I encourage anyone who is struggling to take that first step and tell somebody.”
More than 50 attended the symposium, with sessions that addressed the Army’s Behavioral Health Fitness Standards and a doctor’s strategies for helping service members in the emergency department.
The biggest takeaway from the day for Dr. Schnitzlein the need to “keep having these discussions – both in forums such as this symposium, but also on a smaller scale.”
Plans are underway for the next symposium on the first Friday in December 2024.