Mental Health Worksheet

BSHS/305 Version 4

University of Phoenix Material

Mental Health Worksheet
Watch the Films on Demand video, Wounded Platoon, located in this weeks Electronic Reserve
Readings.
Write at least 175-word responses to each of the following instructions. Your responses must be in
complete sentences and use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Describe in detail the types of mental health problems experienced by those who serve in the military, as
illustrated in the video.
There are three primary mental health concerns that you may encounter serving in the military.
1.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Traumatic events, such as military combat, assault,
disasters or sexual assault can have long-lasting negative effects such as trouble sleeping, anger,
nightmares, being jumpy and alcohol and drug abuse. When these troubles don't go away, it could be
PTSD. The 2014 JAMA Psychiatry study found the rate of PTSD to be 15 times higher than civilians.
PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not appear until months or
years later. They also may come and go over many years. If the symptoms last longer than four weeks,
cause you great distress, or interfere with your work or home life, you might have PTSD.

There are four types of symptoms of PTSD:

i.
Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms):
You may have bad memories or nightmares. You even may feel like
you're going through the event again. This is called a flashback.
ii.
Avoiding situations that remind you of the event:
You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the
traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the
event.
iii.
Negative changes in beliefs and feelings:
The way you think about yourself and others may change because of
the trauma. You may feel fear, guilt, or shame. Or, you may not be
interested in activities you used to enjoy. This is another way to avoid
memories.
iv.
Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal):
You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. Or,
you may have trouble concentrating or sleeping. This is known as
hyperarousal.
2.
Depression. More than just experiencing sadness, depression doesn't mean you are weak, nor
is it something that you can simply "just get over." Depression interferes with daily life and normal
functioning and may require treatment. The 2014 JAMA Psychiatry study found the rate of PTSD to be
five times higher than civilians.
3.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A traumatic brain injury is usually the result of significant blow to
the head or body. Symptoms can include headaches, fatigue or drowsiness, memory problems and
mood changes and mood swings.

Copyright 2015, 2014 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

Mental Health Worksheet

BSHS/305 Version 4

What kinds of services are needed to address the mental health and other human services needs of our
military? For each service you identify, indicate whether it best fits the medical, public health, or human
services model, as described in Ch. 4 of the text.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides general and specialty mental health services for
treatment of the broad range of mental health conditions, including treatment for substance abuse
disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma (discussed in detail below), and serious
mental illness. Services are provided in the outpatient and inpatient mental health setting. General and
psychogeriatric mental health services are provided as an integral part of primary care within the Patient
Aligned Care Teams (PACT) as well as VA nursing homes and residential care facilities where many
Veterans receive care. In addition to providing comprehensive, evidence based psychiatric care, there are
a number of unique psychosocial services and resources available to eligible Veterans who have
schizophrenia or another serious mental illness (SMI) through the mental health programs at VA medical
centers (VAMCs). This best fits the medical and public health model.
Unfortunately, the VA medical centers and the VA in general fail our nations military members and
veterans. Often times the VA doesnt approve certain treatments and help for certain medical and mental
conditions. 900 programs are not targeting the appropriate register of experience to heal the deep
anguish that service members and veterans experience and often leads them to take their own lives.
Stigma reduction, yes; availability of screening and mental health care, yes; peer counselors, yes. But
these are not enough.

Mental Health Worksheet Rubric:

Possible
Content is thorough and reflects comprehension of the video and related
information in the assigned reading.

Mechanics: College-level writing is used. Sentences are clear, complete, and

concise. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are correct.

Late penalty
Total

Copyright 2015, 2014 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

Earned