In this poignant final episode of Psychiatric Casualties, hosts Mark Russell and Charles Figley are joined by special guest Kathy Figley for a powerful and emotional close to their podcast journey. Together, they reflect on the stories, challenges, and revelations they’ve shared while confronting the chronic neglect of mental health in the military.

Drawing from their book and years of advocacy, the trio revisits major insights from their work—highlighting systemic failures, personal battles, and the urgent need for reform. More than a summary, this episode is a passionate call to action: to push for comprehensive change, support those suffering in silence, and hold institutions accountable.

Whether you've followed since the beginning or are just tuning in, this episode captures the heart of Psychiatric Casualties: How and Why the Military Ignores the Full Cost of War—a blend of truth, compassion, and unwavering dedication to those affected by military mental health struggles.

🔑 Key Topics:

• Reflections on the podcast journey and the writing of Psychiatric Casualties
• The invisible wounds of military service
• Failures in military mental health care systems
• Advocacy and accountability: what's needed for real change
• Messages of hope for the future

📚 Featured Book: Psychiatric Casualties – by Mark Russell & Charles Figley

Strangers At Home

Thank You For Your Service

🙏 Thank You:

To all our listeners, contributors, and the brave individuals who shared their stories—thank you. Your voices matter, and together, we can be the catalyst for change.

🔗 Stay Connected:

Though this is the final episode, the conversation doesn’t end here.

Mark, Charles and Kat confront one of the most pressing and persistent issues facing our armed forces: the chronic neglect of military mental health care.

As this series is coming to the last two episodes, Mark prepares to step away from the podcast, he reflects on his personal journey—one that began with the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and has been defined by a steadfast commitment to advocating for mental health reform. Together, the hosts take a hard look at the barriers to change, from entrenched stigma to slow-moving policy, and the immense toll this neglect has taken on service members and their families.

The conversation navigates:

• The systemic challenges in military mental health policy
• Personal stories and professional insights from decades of advocacy and research
• The cultural and institutional stigma that still haunts mental health treatment
• Bold ideas for legislative and structural reform

This heartfelt discussion is both a tribute to those affected and a rallying cry for those ready to create change. Join us for a powerful episode that reminds us all: the invisible wounds of war deserve to be seen—and healed.

Have questions? Experiences? Email Mark and Charles at [email protected]. Your engagement can help pave the way for a future where military mental health is no longer a silent battlefield.

Mark, Charles and Kat confront one of the most pressing and persistent issues facing our armed forces: the chronic neglect of military mental health care.

In this second to last episode of this series, Mark prepares to step away from the podcast, he reflects on his personal journey—one that began with the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and has been defined by a steadfast commitment to advocating for mental health reform. Together, the hosts take a hard look at the barriers to change, from entrenched stigma to slow-moving policy, and the immense toll this neglect has taken on service members and their families.

The conversation navigates:

• The systemic challenges in military mental health policy
• Personal stories and professional insights from decades of advocacy and research
• The cultural and institutional stigma that still haunts mental health treatment
• Bold ideas for legislative and structural reform

This heartfelt discussion is both a tribute to those affected and a rallying cry for those ready to create change. Join us for a powerful episode that reminds us all: the invisible wounds of war deserve to be seen—and healed.

In this episode, Charles, Mark and Kat tackle the complex dynamics of military mental health care and its evolution over the years. They discuss the lasting impact of wars, particularly the Persian Gulf and Vietnam, on mental health practices in the military and how these lessons have influenced civilian mental health care. The conversation touches on the stigma surrounding mental health in the military, the challenges of trauma, and the innovations that have emerged to address these issues. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of military service and mental health.

Key Topics Covered:

• The evolution of military mental health care over the years
• The psychological impact of the Persian Gulf and Vietnam Wars
• How military mental health practices have influenced civilian care
• The stigma surrounding mental health in the military
• Challenges in addressing trauma among service members
• Innovations in mental health treatments and support systems

Have questions or comments, email Dr. Mark Russell at [email protected]

Interested in the book? Visit https://www.amazon.com/Psychiatric-Casualties-Military-Ignores-Full/dp/0231187769

Mark, Charles and Kat discuss the progress made over the years, the lessons learned from past wars, and the ongoing challenges faced by veterans today.

With a focus on resilience and the importance of mental well-being, this episode sheds light on how the military can serve as a model for broader societal mental health care. From understanding trauma and treatment to the pressing need for continued advocacy, this conversation unpacks the complexities of mental health in the armed forces and beyond.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The evolution of military mental health care
• Lessons from past wars and their impact on treatment approaches
• Ongoing challenges faced by veterans and active-duty service members
• The role of resilience in recovery and well-being
• How military mental health initiatives can inform civilian care
• The importance of advocacy and policy change for better mental health support

Resources & Links:

• More about Psychiatric Casualties
• Support for Veterans' Mental Health
• Further Reading on Military Trauma and Treatment

Join the Conversation:

📢 Have thoughts on this episode? Share your insights with us at [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe to Psychiatric Casualties for more discussions on mental health and resilience.

Mark, Charles and Kathy embark on a critical discussion about the cyclical pattern of indifference that follows wartime crises. They delve into the concept of the 'national reset,' where the military's focus shifts away from mental health once public and media attention wanes. Together they explore the implications of this neglect not only within the military but also its impact on civilian society, highlighting the urgent need for a cultural shift in how we perceive and prioritize mental health. Tune in for insights, personal anecdotes, and a vision for a future where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.

Have questions? Experiences? Email Mark and Charles at [email protected]. Your engagement can help pave the way for a future where military mental health is no longer a silent battlefield.

Charles, Mark and Kat explore the chronic indifference towards mental health in the military, tracing its roots through generational patterns of preventable crises. With insights from their extensive research and personal experiences, they discuss the stigma surrounding mental health, the lack of resources, and the need for a cultural shift within the military to prioritize mental health alongside physical health. Join us as we delve into the complexities of mental health care in the military and the profound implications it has on service members and their families.

Have questions? Experiences? Email Mark and Charles at [email protected]. Your engagement can help pave the way for a future where military mental health is no longer a silent battlefield.

In this episode Charles, Mark and Kathy are touching thought provoking content and some my find it triggering. Please be aware!

Your hosts are focusing on the experimental and sometimes dangerous treatments used throughout history. From electric shock therapy to prefrontal lobotomies, we explore the drastic measures once employed to address conditions like PTSD. Their discussion highlights the military's unique approach to mental health, including the controversial 'frontline psychiatry' methods developed during World War I. Mark, Charles and Kat also examine the implications of prolonged combat exposure and the importance of monitoring deployment durations.

Have questions? Experiences? Email Mark and Charles at [email protected]. Your engagement can help pave the way for a future where military mental health is no longer a silent battlefield.

Mark and Charles, along with special guest Kathy Figley, discuss the parallels between military and disaster management mental health issues and shedding light on the stigma and systemic failures that prevent effective treatment. The discussion highlights historical lessons from World Wars, the controversial practice of 'watchful waiting,' and the reliance on medication over psychotherapy. The episode underscores the urgent need for change and the importance of acknowledging and addressing these persistent issues.

Have questions? Experiences? Email Mark and Charles at [email protected]. Your engagement can help pave the way for a future where military mental health is no longer a silent battlefield.

Discover why the military continues to ignore the full cost of war and how a Behavioral Health Corps could be the solution to this pressing issue. With insights from over 214 investigations and comparisons to international military practices, this episode sheds light on the urgent need for change. Don't miss this compelling discussion on the invisible wounds of war.

Table of Contents for Discussion

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