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Lt Col Scott Hopper, 65th Logistics Readiness Squadron, commander. (Courtesy Photo)
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Stigma! What stigma?
Posted 9/14/2012 Updated 9/14/2012
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Commentary by Lt Col Scott Hopper
65th Logitics Readiness Squadron Commander
9/14/2012 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- I am told that many Airmen won't go to mental health or the MFLC because there is a "stigma" associated with them? What stigma? No one told me about the stigma.
In 2004 I was under a lot stress balancing work and home while trying to manage the emotional and financial stress of a heated divorce and extended separation from my daughter. I went to mental health and they referred me to an off-base counselor to help me sort through the adjustments I needed to make in my life. I wish I had known about this stigma.
I remember telling my commander. I didn't have to tell him, but I wanted to leave early on Tuesdays to attend the appointments. I told him I was seeing a counselor. With little reaction, he gave me Tuesday afternoons off and moved on to the next topic. I really didn't think anything of telling my Commander. As an officer, I have been on the other side of the desk many times when NCOs and officers have come to tell me they were going to mental health. I never really thought anything negative of the person; I always just wish them well and gave a brief offering of support. I guess it's because I didn't know about this stigma. My boss must not have known about the stigma either; I ended up winning the Lance Sijan Leadership Award for Air University that year.
I even heard going to mental health will impact your security clearance. I remember during my interview for my Top-Secret/SCI the investigator asked if I had been to counseling. I told him I had during my divorce. He asked, "Did it help?" "Yeah, it did." I told him. Again, he didn't know about this stigma either. Just a few weeks later I had my SCI clearance. I guess if I was hearing voices or thought I could fly or something like that things would be different. But just going to talk to someone during a rough time in your life didn't seem to matter.
Recently, when Romy and I learned Michael was autistic we went to the MFLC for counseling. Discovering your child has special needs is an emotional time for any parent and we knew we needed help. These helping professionals have years of experience in private practice where they charge upwards of $150 per hour. In the Air Force, we have their services for free. If I had known about this stigma I wouldn't have told Col Oliver and I certainly wouldn't have had the MFLC come to my office in plain view of my Airmen. I guess everything is okay though. Col Oliver continues to give me high marks and my Airmen don't seem to care. I guess they don't know about this stigma either.
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