Photo By Lance Cpl. David Brandes | U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, a Mexico native and 20th sergeant major of...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – Marines, leaders, and community members gathered for a Mental Health Symposium at The Clubs of Quantico, Feb. 13.
The Marine Corps Association, Naval Health Clinic Quantico, and Marine Corps Community Services hosted the third annual Mental Health Symposium aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico focused on substance abuse and self-medication.
During a panel of active-duty service members, each member discussed what led them to cultivate an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, how it affected them and their loved ones, and how they overcame their addiction.
“For most people, alcohol isn’t their problem, it’s the solution to their problem,” said GySgt. Heather Carrol, a panel member.
Carrol explained that stressful environments can cause internal problems for service members looking for relief from a day of stress. She noted that service members may find various substances can be used as a tool for relieving stress.
One of the symposium’s primary objectives was to equip leaders with the knowledge to identify signs of mental health struggles in their peers and subordinates, and to avoid the need to rely on substances to cope with stress.
“When we talk about some of the jobs and some of the things that we have to do – you need to be able to avoid [the stress], you need to be able to suppress [negative things],” said Carrol. “That is such a crucial survival skill, and life skill, and job skill for all of us.
"While coping with stress may be a survival skill, as Carrol said, it is important to identify the indicators of self-medication and misuse of a substance.
According to Jacqueline Williams, the Behavioral Health Branch Head of MCCS, a standard drink is 5 oz for a glass of wine, 2.5 oz for liquor, and 12oz for beer. Williams recommends no more than one standard drink in an hour, two standard drinks daily, or three standard drinks on any day (known as the 0-1-2-3 guidelines).
While are general guidelines, individuals may experience negative effects from consuming less alcohol than these amounts.
For U.S. Navy Lt. Cameron Murphy, there wasn’t a focus on mental health until he realized he needed to pivot to that perspective. He said, “The focus was on that next goal, that next billet, that next school, that next deployment, whatever – there was a constant focus on that; we never focused on taking a knee.”
Symposiums like these are held annually to unwind the stigma surrounding seeking assistance when struggling with substance abuse. It helps normalize the process and promotes a culture of understanding among leaders and resilience among those seeking help.
With this understanding, leaders can offer the appropriate support to individuals in need.
For psychological health information and resources, visit www.health.mil/phrc; for substance misuse resources, call 800-662-HELP(4357) and for additional resources and community support, visit https://www.militaryonesource.mil.
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2025 10:21 |
| Story ID: | 491914 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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