Military Pathways website for mental health self-assessments

Simple website helps veterans

By J.M. Simpson on May 1, 2013

The Military Pathways website is worth a look. 

The Department of Defense has partnered with Screening for Mental Health, a non-profit organization, to create Military Pathways.

The program is available online, over the telephone and at events held at military installations worldwide.

Free and anonymous, Pathways provides mental health and alcohol self-assessments for family members and service personnel in all branches, including the Guard and Reserve.

The self-assessments are easy to take.  Comprised of a number of questions, the assessment helps to create a picture of how an individual is feeling and whether he or she could benefit from talking to a health professional.

The foremost goal of the program is to reduce stigma, raise awareness about mental health, and connect those in need to available resources.

The self-assessments zero in on depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use and bipolar disorder.

After an individual takes the self-assessment (which I took and found very informative), he or she is provided with referral information including services provided through the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

In addition, users of the site can share their stories with others. 

For more information, visit www.militarymentalhealth.org or www.StepToHealing.org.