• EP:11 Weaponizing Stigma
    Jul 19 2024

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    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 Through personal anecdotes and historical references, they uncover the detrimental effects of weaponized stigma and discuss potential paths forward.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

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

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

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    47 mins
  • EP:10 Post War Anger and the Veteran Treatment Court System
    Jun 28 2024

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    "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 highlights the historical and ongoing failures in addressing mental health issues within the military, the innovative yet underutilized Veterans Treatment Courts, and the need for a more compassionate and therapeutic approach towards Veterans.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

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

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

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    41 mins
  • EP:9 Legal Prosecution, Incarceration and Executions of Mental Illness
    Jun 14 2024

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    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 the ethical dilemmas faced by military commanders.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

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

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

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    40 mins
  • EP:8 Historical Use of Punishment to maintain Discipline Among the Ranks
    May 30 2024

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    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 dark strategies employed by the military to handle psychiatric casualties—from corporal punishment to the caging of marines.

    This episode is to acknowledge the full cost of war and the urgent need for compassion over cruelty. Listen in for an eye-opening discussion on the military's failure to communicate care for its own.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

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

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

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    53 mins
  • Ep:7 Cruel and Inhumane Handling
    May 17 2024

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    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 of punishment for those deemed weak or cowardly, from the Roman legions to the American Civil War. Discover the troubling legacy of branding, barreling, and flogging, and how these brutal tactics aimed to maintain discipline by making examples of those suffering from psychiatric injuries. As Mark and Charles reveal, these "dark strategies" are not relics of the past but continue to haunt military mental health care in various forms, perpetuating a cycle of trauma and neglect.

    Through their conversation, the hosts expose the complexities of distinguishing cowardice from war stress injuries and the military's dilemma of balancing the need to fight wars with the obligation to protect the mental well-being of its soldiers. They discuss the phenomenon of "Old Sergeant Syndrome," the inevitable breaking point of even the most battle-hardened veterans, and the implications for military discipline and cohesion.

    This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of military history, mental health, and the human cost of war. Tune in for a sobering yet necessary discussion on the urgent need for change in how we address the invisible wounds of battle.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

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

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

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    52 mins
  • EP:6 Coping with Mental Anguish and Untreated Psychological Injuries
    May 3 2024

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    Mark Russell and Charles Figley unpack the complexities of psychiatric casualties, exploring the full scope of mental health crises and the systemic failures in addressing them. From cultural idioms of distress to the mislabeling of combat veterans, they shine a light on the urgent need for a holistic approach to military mental health care.

    They navigate the intricate web of neuropsychiatric diagnoses, the stigmatization of mental health issues, and the dire consequences of untreated psychological injuries. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the real and devastating impact of chronic stress on our service members, and the pressing need for change in military mental health policies.

    Listen in as Mark and Charles share their personal encounters with compassion fatigue, revealing the raw and human side of those tasked with the care of our nation's heroes. Their candid conversation is a call to action, urging us to acknowledge and address the invisible wounds of war with the same urgency and respect as physical injuries.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

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

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • EP:5 The Dark Side of Military Mental Health
    Apr 18 2024

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    In episode 5 Mark and Charles unravel the complex tapestry of war's psychological toll. They shed light on the broad spectrum of conditions that afflict service members beyond PTSD, including medically unexplained physical symptoms, neuropsychiatric diagnoses, and traumatic grief reactions.

    This discussion is not just a critique but a call to action, highlighting the dire need for comprehensive mental health care that honors the full cost of war. It's a sobering reminder that the battle doesn't end when the war does, and the scars of conflict extend far beyond the physical.

    For anyone who's served, loved someone who's served, or simply cares about the wellbeing of our service members, this episode is a must-listen. It's a conversation that could spark the change needed to address the mental health crisis our military faces.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

    Have questions, thoughts or suggestions on topics? Email Mark at mrussellphd@gmail.com

    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

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    52 mins
  • EP:4 Evolution of Military Psychiatry
    Apr 5 2024

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    Join Dr. Mark Russell and Dr. Charles Figley as they navigate the complex history of military mental health, uncovering the silent suffering behind the heroism. Their conversation takes a critical look at the evolution of military psychiatry, from the days of the Civil War to our contemporary conflicts, and the often-overlooked psychological traumas that accompany them.

    Mark and Charles will bring these crucial conversations to the forefront, honoring the full spectrum of sacrifice made by our military personnel.

    Table of Contents for Discussion

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


    Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com
    Download on Apple Play and Google Play

    Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

    Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

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    58 mins