Military Financial Benefits Support Mental Health And Well-Being

Rosemary Williams is a senior consultant at Deloitte Consulting LLP. He previously served as assistant secretary for federal and state affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs and as deputy assistant secretary for military and family policy at the Department of Defense. Her work with military families and veterans followed a career in journalism, where she received numerous awards, including an Emmy Award for her 9/11 coverage on MSNBC.

The views expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your opinion, please send your story to opinions@military.com for consideration.

In 2014, a US Marine Corps sergeant stationed at the Defense Department’s communications center in Okinawa, Japan, asked for help for his two businesses, which owed $500 from a bad creditor. They had all received their wages, totaling $1,500, but each owed another $500.

These types of things are common, although it is illegal to charge more than 6% on any financial loan to a service member, due to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). As the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy (DASD MC&FP), I knew that help was available to get the corporals out of the debacle, even if it was damaged.

Despite the various iterations of the SCRA dating back to the Civil War, many of those it seeks to protect continue to struggle with economic hardship due to material ignorance, constant borrowing and, over the past 10 to 15 years, relentless Friends and peer pressure from the so-called “social media.” the reflective nature” of the wealth of others it considers.

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Military OneSource has several unique tips, such as relocation assistance for military families, who move every two to four years; a stronger work program for spouses that aims to end unemployment for spouses, which has hovered around 24% for more than a decade; and financial counseling with a Certified Financial Counselor (CFC).

At the center of the 24/7 support center is confidential counseling – also known as non-helpful counseling, the largest health resource in the country, which provides 12 confidential counseling sessions per person, on any issue, with a Master in Social Work (MSW) counselor or above, for any problem that prevents a soldier or their family from living their best life, be it relationships, work, stress or anxiety. All problems are welcome, especially if the issues are not serious, with very bad results. These positions are available by phone, text, email and in person within 15 miles or 30 minutes of the caller’s location. Military OneSource is equal parts support and prevention.

This incredible program provided by the DoD makes it as easy as possible for service members and their families to get help. Calls are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, within 6 seconds, and callers should never be put on hold. In addition to the CFCs at Military OneSource, there are financial advisors available at many installations and others are available through DoD partners, such as military banks and defense agencies.

This so-called “inside gate” network is supplemented by non-governmental organizations such as the American Military Bank Association, legal aid organizations, and other non-profit organizations.

Financial Education and Welfare

Military OneSource financial advice falls under the category of non-medical advice because financial health is closely linked to personal health and well-being. Let me repeat: Financial health is closely related to personal health and well-being.

In particular, when a member of staff or a family member calls the Armed Forces and talks about insomnia, anxiety, depression, self-doubt or hopelessness, the average person may think that these are symptoms of mental illness. Although accurate, these feelings are also common signs of financial distress.

Some outward signs that financial stress is affecting mental health include: financial conflicts with loved ones, insomnia, anger or anxiety, mood swings, fatigue, loss of appetite or withdrawal from others. Dealing with financial problems early can also reduce their impact on mental health.

This is something that many already know, but it is not clear to everyone that financial health and mental health go hand in hand. Everyone can initiate these changes, but they feed off each other and, if left unchecked, mental and financial health can suffer. And it’s even more difficult because of the stigma associated with financial problems, which makes it difficult to get help.

If financial stress or problems are left untreated, they can become much worse – what experts call coping mechanisms, including excessive drinking, domestic violence, infidelity or suicidal thoughts. While there are as many reasons why people die by suicide as people do, we know that relationships and financial problems often fall into the two main causes of suicide. Dealing with financial problems early can reduce their psychological damage and, in the case of the military, their readiness for battle.

Financial insecurity and the need for financial education is not a military issue – it cuts across the military and civilians alike. In the military, we call it “financial planning,” but it’s the same story right out of the gates. We avoid the term “literate” in economics because it implies an illiterate person, which can increase the stigma associated with treatment-seeking behavior.

The civilian population is also important because it is where today’s military families live. In particular, 72% of military families and 68% of single service members live outside the installation gates. In addition, we are finding a growing number of spouses who do not identify themselves as military spouses but as mothers, bankers, teachers or church volunteers, to name just a few examples.

Economic Planning and Military Planning

There is science behind the adage used in the grocery store that the No. 1 distraction. If we had a more accurate measurement system, the financial stress would be at the same level. In short, members’ risk and safety depends on being rational and free from financial worries.

There are other studies that highlight the prevalence and severity of financial insecurity among the general population, including a recent study from the Military Family Advisory Network. We can’t accurately measure the problem within the military, however, because some of the most difficult to do so can pose a serious threat to the community, with penalties such as losing a job or security clearance — or even being fired. outside the military. This means the loss of potential long-term benefits, retirement options and/or less expensive health care. The potential consequences and severe economic stigma make it unlikely that an employee or family member will go to a DoD facility such as the Army Corps of Engineers for help, even though it is safe and encouraged to do so.

Financial Management Help for the Community and Today

Enter non-federal entities (NFE) — non-profit organizations and charities. These are partners in the health and preparedness of the entire military-connected community: personnel, veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. Because many soldiers and their families cannot risk the DoD knowing they are in financial trouble, they must have independent — and DoD approved — resources to turn to.

In order to meet the needs of the financial planning of the entire army in which it resides, all organizations must cooperate and coordinate. And the concerned NFEs must be included under the DoD tent to be part of the solution. Organizations like the VA thrive on public-private partnerships to serve veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors – including a great financial program for veterans called the Veterans Benefits Banking Program.

Modern methods such as FinTech are important tools for financial education, since 85% of those registered are under the age of 35, so it is in their hands where they live and succeed in social media and social media. In addition, digital marketing promoting online tools and other products is now essential to cut through the noise that has become 24/7 news.

It is important to note that social and digital strategies can also work against our potential. Social media is an unrepresentative medium that is known to be an over-exaggeration that bombards employees and their families with pictures of their friends and colleagues who seem to be living a life of luxury without always understanding the true picture of the person’s finances or what a person’s financial life is. very good. he left the individual and individual.

Some of the best jobs for this are those designed for children, starting them while they still have the basics to build a solid financial foundation. The DoD Education Activity (DoDEA) offers courses such as Financial Algebra and Business and Personal Finance. There are some NFEs that have amazing FinRed programs for kids as young as preschoolers. Consider this: What would happen if we modeled financial education on children the way they did years ago with seat belt safety and the dangers of smoking. The children had it and took it home to their parents, who had to change their thinking and habits.

Emotional and financial problems are not necessarily mutually exclusive. We all have the power to change the service member and their family’s finances, by letting them know that they don’t have to do the job alone. By helping them make small changes, relying on the resources available for support, and as only true professionals can – helping them appreciate every part of the journey as they strive to be financially healthy and, yes, mentally healthy.

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