The Navy’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year wisely includes increased funding for mental health, including for the prevention of suicide and sexual assault. A lot can change, but more money for mental health services should be part of the final package.
Ships, planes, the latest weapons and communications, bases and buildings — all are important to the strength of our nation’s defensive forces.
But the master chief petty officer of the Navy, the most senior enlisted sailor and the one whose job is to speak up about problems facing enlisted men and women, made an important point when discussing the Navy’s budget. “The people are what makes those ships lethal,” Master Chief Petty Officer James Honea told U.S. Naval Institute News.
The finest fleet in the world and all the advanced technology money can buy will not make a strong Navy unless the people who make it all work are fit, mentally and emotionally as well as physically, and willing and able to do their jobs.
The Navy’s budget request also emphasizes recruitment and retention, two areas that have become challenging. In an effort to add 5,000 sailors, the Navy is requesting a pay raise and other measures to make it more attractive to join the Navy and make it a career.
It’s all related. If the recent spike in suicides among sailors is making headlines and word on the street is that Navy life is unpleasant, unfulfilling and underpaid, the Navy will find it tough to attract recruits. If those who serve face depression and isolation with nowhere to turn, if the stresses on them and their families become too great, the Navy will have a hard time building an experienced force.
So the Navy has been trying to reduce stress and improve its response to mental-health problems. After at least six sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington killed themselves during a recent long stay at a Newport News shipyard, the Navy began rethinking some policies. Is it wise to assign young recruits eager for action and travel to ships in the yards? What can be done to make living and working conditions there better?
The deadly problem persists. In March, a 21-year-old assigned to the submarine USS Montana killed himself at Newport News Shipbuilding. In January, another young sailor assigned to the drydocked George Washington killed himself.
In part, increased mental-health problems including suicide are part of a national crisis that’s also worrisome at colleges. America’s deep, bitter political and cultural divisions play a role. COVID’s disruptions and isolation made things worse.
Those serving in the Navy, especially aboard ship, may have the added stress of being unable to stay connected to friends and family electronically for the first time in their lives. Young recruits may find the reality of the lives and work they face a far cry from what they expected.
Those who have served a while may have stressful family problems made worse by separations, plus worries about their future in the Navy and beyond.
Despite increased awareness and efforts to change the culture, there’s still often a stigma associated with seeking help for mental-health problems.
Increased funding could help the Navy’s efforts to increase “embedded mental health” — giving sailors and Marines easy, quick access to help when they need it. Commanders must learn to recognize problems and encourage people to get help. Mental health professionals should be readily available. Chaplains are being encouraged to offer a confidential, sympathetic ear to anyone who needs help, religious or not.
The Navy’s budget request aims to make the service stronger by making its people stronger. Taking good care of those in uniform, including looking out for their mental health, is the best hope for the Navy and the other military branches to attract good people and make their service safe and rewarding. In doing so, they will make our country safer.
The Pentagon’s budget for the new fiscal year must include a robust expansion of funding for mental-health services.
