Psychiatric Casualties

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,...

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...

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 men...

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 mi...

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 continue...

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 societ...

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...

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 mil...

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 epi...

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 Discussio...

In this compelling episode of Psychiatric Casualties, Mark and Charles explore the chronic lack of accountability within the military's mental health system, discussing the failure to learn from past war trauma lessons and the resulting generational crises. The episode highlights the fragmented organizational structure that prevents effective mental health management and accountability. Join the c...

Mark and Charles continue the second part of discussion into the controversial topic of faulty diagnoses and backdoor discharges. They explore the historical and ongoing neglect of veterans suffering from conditions like PTSD, examining how military policies have prioritized expediency over proper care. With insights from congressional investigations and historical documents, they reveal the syste...

Mark and Charles dig into the dark side strategies of military mental health care, focusing on the systemic issues of faulty diagnosis and backdoor discharges. As they navigate through Chapter 9 of their book, they shed light on how the military's implicit policies have historically neglected the psychiatric needs of service members, leading to unjust discharges and a lack of support for veterans....

This week's episode pivots around the military's tactics of delay and deception in addressing the psychological impact of warfare, exploring how these issues ripple through generations of military families. They discuss the historical context of mental health care in the military, revealing shocking truths about the lack of transparency and accountability. As they navigate through personal anecdot...

Mark Russell and Charles Figley explore the military's strategies of delay and deception in addressing psychiatric casualties of war, as detailed in Chapter 8 of their book. Mark highlights the systemic issues that prevent effective mental health care for service members. The discussion sheds light on the historical and ongoing challenges faced by the military in acknowledging and addressing the p...

In this episode, Mark and Charles explore the historical context of psychiatric screenings, the purging of perceived weaknesses, and the staggering rates of psychiatric casualties from the Civil War to modern-day conflicts. The discussion highlights the flawed policies, the stigmatization of mental health, and the hidden PTSD among elite forces. Tune in for a compelling examination of how war impa...

Mark and Charles talk about Chapter 7 of their book, "Psychiatric Casualties," focusing on the military's strategy of purging weakness to avoid learning from war trauma. They discuss the historical context of trauma pension debates, the ineffectiveness of psychiatric screenings, and the ongoing struggle to recognize PTSD as legitimate suffering. The episode also highlights the military's reluctanc...

Today's episode taps into the discussion of the historical context of denial in military mental health, the consequences of this denial, and the ongoing challenges faced by service members. Mark and Charles also touch on their personal anecdotes, the role of denial in both adaptive and maladaptive forms, and the importance of accountability and systemic change. Table of Contents for Discussion For...

In this episode, Charles Figley, along with Mark Russell and Kathy Regan Figley, discuss the chronic neglect of psychiatric casualties and how the military frequently ignores the full cost of war. The conversation touches on a range of topics, including traumatic memories, fear-related symptoms, and the systemic issues that prevent proper mental health care for service members. The episode also hi...

In this episode, Kathy Figley joins Mark and Charles in focusing on the stigmatization and systemic barriers that prevent service members from seeking necessary treatment. Kathy, who brings her unique perspective as a wife, first responder, and traumatologist works collectively with Mark and Charles as they explore the dark side strategies used to weaponize stigma, the historical context of these...

In this powerful episode, Mark and Charles talk about weaponizing stigma with special guest Kathy, a seasoned mental health professional and disaster responder. Together, they explore the institutional, public, and self-stigma that surrounds mental health in the military, drawing parallels with first responders and disaster workers. Through personal anecdotes and historical references, they uncove...

"Less than 1% of our society today decides to join the military, and I think it justifies providing differential treatment towards veterans, particularly combat veterans." ~ Mark Russell In today’s episode, Mark Russell and Charles Figley discuss the weaponization of the criminal justice system against Veterans and share personal anecdotes of post-war anger and aggression. The conversation highlig...

A clinical discussion exploring the historical and ongoing neglect of psychiatric issues among military personnel, highlighting the severe consequences of this neglect through various wars, including World War II, Vietnam, and the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Discover the dark side of military discipline, the cruel treatments meted out to those suffering from war stress injuries, and...

Some of the content in this episode may be disturbing to some of the listeners. Please be aware. In this raw and revealing episode, Mark Russell and Charles Figley tackle the harrowing subject of military mental health and the cruel punishments historically used to maintain discipline within the ranks. As they dig into the third chapter of their book, 'Psychiatric Casualties,' they uncover the dar...

Join Mark and Charles as they explore the shadows of military history, uncovering the stark reality of psychiatric neglect in the armed forces. In this episode your hosts explore Chapter 3 of their book, "Cruel and Inhumane Handling," shedding light on the military's failure to address the full cost of war on soldiers' mental health. Hear the chilling accounts of ancient and historical practices o...