I propose that the United States government should pursue a Voluntary Rehabilitation and Vocational Program for people suffering from Mental Health disorders based on the Military model.
In November of 2023, I enlisted in the Marine Corps and in December I went to Parris Island. I didnt complete training and I didn’t become a Marine, but I gained valuable insight into what is to like to be a recruit and go through the process of joining the United States Military. I believe the Basic Training Model could be adapted to suit the needs of people with mental illness and to help to prepare them for the workforce.
Disability from Mental Health issues presents a major problem for individuals and for society. I have struggled with my own Mental Health issues and I lost an Aunt to suicide last year. The cost of Mental Health is personal to me but it is also objectively profound.
In the year 2023, there were 735,865 workers under 50 who recieved disability payments through Social Security due to Mental Disorders.{1} The average disability payment for social security is estimated at 1,538 dollars per month approximately. {2} That means that the government is spending about 13.6 billion dollars a year on this group of individuals and the economy is losing out on many potentially productive workers. A study done in January of this year estimated that mental health issues cost the economy a staggering 282 billion dollars each year.{3,4}
I believe that investing in effective mental health programs is not only compassionate but also economically wise.
The tarrifs that have been put in place will move more industries back to the United States and create more jobs. There will be a demand for workers in various trades and a Mental Health Vocational program could help meet that need while helping people who seem destined for disability to rejoin the workforce or get their first job.
My idea is that applicants would take a standardized test similar to the ASVAB and choose a job assignment or career field that they are capable of and want to do. Then they would go to Basic Training which would be strictly regimented and build good habits, break bad ones, and teach resiliency and the skills that are important for life, mental wellness and the workforce. After Basic Training the “recruit” would go to their job school and recieve specialized training for their specific career field or job assignment.
The reason I chose the Military model is because at Parris Island a lot of the initial training were designed to perform basic life skills under stress. We learned to get dressed fast, lace our boots properly, make our beds, organize our gear, stay clean and eat healthy. The Drill Instructors were tough but they were there to prepare us for life in the military and for combat. They had to create stress for us and to break us down so they could build us back up as a part of a team.
I believe Drill Instructors could help those struggling with mental health issues to prepare them for a civilian job. The stress levels would not have to be as intense, but the respect for orders and authority should remain. Psychiatrists and therapists would be on staff to care for the needs of the participants and to ensure that medications are properly administered.
From my experience, mental health issues and especially depression causes a person to neglect simple daily living tasks, to isolate, to go inward, and to lose hope. Having a community of people working towards the same goal of building a better life could make a tremendous difference and a strictly regimented evironment full of activity would also be great for those who are suffering and trying to overcome their mental health challenges. If this method works it would not only save lives, but it would pay dividends for American Society as people destined for lifelong disability would become productive workers.
Logisitcally speaking there would need to be many factors considered:
-Funding: How would this program be funded? Through the National Insititute of Health, Social Security and Medicaid. Participants would be paid to take part in the job training. When a person is on Disability they recieve 1,500 dollars a month and many are incentivized not to work because of that. When a person takes part in this program, housing and basic necessities would be taken care of and an additional stipend of about 500 dollars a month would be given to encourage participation and give the participants an economic start. Many participants would already be on Medicaid and Social Security so what would happen is their monthly check would be redirected to the vocational program.
-Finding the Land and Facilities: For the Basic Training, decommisioned Military Bases, because they already have dormitories and dining halls. Something could be built on federal land but that would be probably more expensive. For the Vocational Program, housing would be mental health focused group homes near the campus of a Technical College, trade school, Community College or University or the persons job site. The idea is that upon graduation of the program the person will be placed in a job and able to rent a place of their own. They will have gone from being destined for lifelong dependancy on disability to productive members of the workforce.
-Aptitude Requirements: The most important thing is that the participant is willing to accept help and wants to work. There are many jobs out there with different skill sets and this program could work for people who want to be a Janitor, a Welder, a Paramedic or to finish college and work in an intellectual field.
-Job Placement: The government could partner with companies to fill positions where there is need.
This idea may seem far fetched or even scary. Using Military tactics to address Mental Health? Yes, mental health is an inner war and many lose that battle each year, according to the CDC, 49,000 people commited suicide in 2022{5}, but many more live lives full of hopelessness and despair because of mental health conditions. Building Resiliency is crucial and so is teaching Mentally Ill people to fight against their illness and to fight for success. The Military Basic Training does an excellent job of preparing recruits for life in the military and for war. This program would prepare its recruits for success in life in spite of their mental illness and give them the tools they need to battle their illness, live healthy and have the opportunity they need to find meaningful work and advance in life.
The economic cost of investment would be steep, so a pilot program would be necessary. I believe this program could in the long run pay dividends if it is properly implemented.
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