Abstract
Despite considerable efforts on the part of the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, andthe wider mental health community, mental health stigma continues to be a significant barrier to seeking helpbyservicemembers,highlightingtheneedfornewermodesofthought.Asignificantfactorcontributingtothisstigma is the fundamental difference between traditional mental health approaches and the warrior culture. Asa mental health prevention initiative, the Defenders Edge (DEFED) program was specifically developed tofit within the United States Air Force Security Forces (SF) charged with ground combat operations whiledeployed to Iraq. DEFED adopted a strengths-based philosophy and integrated a psychologist into the SFculture. Evaluative feedback from 192 program participants is presented, demonstrating high programmaticacceptability and feasibility suggestive of success in circumventing mental health stigma.Keywords: mental health stigma, military, OEF/OIF, deployment
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
