• EP:6 The Dark Side Part II: Coping with Mental Anguish
    May 3 2024

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    Mark Russell and Charles Figley unpack the complexities of psychiatric casualties, exploring the full scope of mental health crises and the systemic failures in addressing them. From cultural idioms of distress to the mislabeling of combat veterans, they shine a light on the urgent need for a holistic approach to military mental health care.

    They navigate the intricate web of neuropsychiatric diagnoses, the stigmatization of mental health issues, and the dire consequences of untreated psychological injuries. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the real and devastating impact of chronic stress on our service members, and the pressing need for change in military mental health policies.

    Listen in as Mark and Charles share their personal encounters with compassion fatigue, revealing the raw and human side of those tasked with the care of our nation's heroes. Their candid conversation is a call to action, urging us to acknowledge and address the invisible wounds of war with the same urgency and respect as physical injuries.

    For further insights and to join the conversation, reach out to Mark at mrussellphd@gmail.com. Your engagement can help pave the way for a future where military mental health is no longer a silent battlefield.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • EP:5 The Dark Side of Military Mental Health
    Apr 18 2024

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    In episode 5 Mark and Charles unravel the complex tapestry of war's psychological toll. They shed light on the broad spectrum of conditions that afflict service members beyond PTSD, including medically unexplained physical symptoms, neuropsychiatric diagnoses, and traumatic grief reactions.

    This discussion is not just a critique but a call to action, highlighting the dire need for comprehensive mental health care that honors the full cost of war. It's a sobering reminder that the battle doesn't end when the war does, and the scars of conflict extend far beyond the physical.

    For anyone who's served, loved someone who's served, or simply cares about the wellbeing of our service members, this episode is a must-listen. It's a conversation that could spark the change needed to address the mental health crisis our military faces.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

    Have questions, thoughts or suggestions on topics? Email Mark at mrussellphd@gmail.com

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

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    52 mins
  • EP:4 Evolution of Military Psychiatry
    Apr 5 2024

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    Join Dr. Mark Russell and Dr. Charles Figley as they navigate the complex history of military mental health, uncovering the silent suffering behind the heroism. Their conversation takes a critical look at the evolution of military psychiatry, from the days of the Civil War to our contemporary conflicts, and the often-overlooked psychological traumas that accompany them.

    Mark and Charles will bring these crucial conversations to the forefront, honoring the full spectrum of sacrifice made by our military personnel.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

    Have questions, thoughts or suggestions on topics? Email Mark at mrussellphd@gmail.com

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

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    58 mins
  • EP:3 A War to Die For: Combat and Mental Health
    Mar 22 2024

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    Join Mark and Charles on a journey through time as they trace the roots of military medicine back to Roman legions, navigating the delicate balance between maintaining an effective fighting force and providing essential mental health support. They trace the silhouette of war’s psychological toll that unravels the changing perceptions and legal battles that have shaped how we view and treat our warriors' invisible wounds.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

    Have questions, thoughts or suggestions on topics? Email Mark at mrussellphd@gmail.com

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

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    54 mins
  • EP:2 The Unseen Battle Scars of the Mind
    Feb 29 2024

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    War wounds are not always visible, and the battle scars of the mind can be as debilitating as any physical injury. Mark and Charles open up a long-overdue discussion on the unseen struggles of military mental health, tracing the historical neglect and systemic shortcomings in armed forces' approaches. The conversation is both a history lesson and a current affairs class, as we uncover declassified documents and share from-the-front anecdotes that reveal the stark contrast between lessons learned from physical warfare and the often-ignored psychological aftereffects. Mark and Charles shed light on the depth of these issues, from the repeated cycle of learning and forgetting to the pervasive stigma that keeps our service members from seeking the help they so desperately need.

    This conversation is not just about the failures of the past but also about the potential for reform—ensuring that every soldier's sacrifice is honored, not just in medals and commendations, but in the care they receive for all their wounds, seen and unseen.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

    Have questions, thoughts or suggestions on topics? Email Mark at mrussellphd@gmail.com

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

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    57 mins
  • EP1: Meet Mark Russell and Charles Figley
    Feb 23 2024

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    The psychological toll of war is vast, and the social costs of war’s psychiatric casualties extend even further. Yet military mental health care suffers from extensive waiting lists, organizational scandals, spikes in veteran suicide, narcotic over prescription, shortages of mental health professionals, and inadequate treatment. The prevalence of conditions such as post–traumatic stress disorder is often underestimated, and there remains entrenched stigma and fear of being diagnosed. Even more alarming is how the military dismisses or conceals the significance and extent of the mental health crisis.

    The trauma experts Mark C. Russell and Charles Figley offer an impassioned and meticulous critique of the systemic failures in military mental health care in the United States. They examine the persistent disconnect between war culture, which valorizes an appearance of strength and seeks to purge weakness, and the science and treatment of trauma. Instead of reckoning with the mental health crisis, the military has neglected the needs of service members. It has discharged, prosecuted, and incarcerated a large number of people struggling with the psychological realities of war, and it has inflicted humiliation, ridicule, and shame on many more.

    Through a far-reaching historical account, Russell and Figley will detail throughout their episodes how the military has perpetuated a self-inflicted crisis. And will offer actionable prescriptions for change and a comprehensive approach to significantly improving military mental health.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

    Have questions, thoughts or suggestions on topics? Email Mark at mrussellphd@gmail.com

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

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    55 mins