Mental Health, Psychiatry and Wellbeing

Biography

Biography: Leila Brady

Abstract

Health and well-being cannot be viewed from a singular lens. The Force Preservation Combined Arms approach instills the holistic (mind, body, spirit, and social) approach coupled with a council applying a strengths based approach (Rideout, 2019). This perspective enables us to look at frequently experienced challenges and issues from a broad angle with a wealth of experience sitting at the table to offer solutions. Exploring influencers, individuals and groups that impact Marines, and how these protective factors can increase resilience of the individual. Additional perspectives include the applications of the six F’s of Marine Corps Leadership Development: Fidelity, Fighter, Fitness, Family, Finance, and Future as well as Marine Total Fitness for all Marines. This combined arms approach is a proactive and preventive approach to combat critical incidents and suicidal behavior among service members and their families. Methods Using observed data and collected critical incident data, needs assessments, and program analysis results in the recommendation of why a holistic approach to resilience is important for service members and their families. Applying the socialecological model which represents the interplay between the individual, those with whom they have close relationships, and the community. It is determined that these factors can increase or decreases the likelihood of experiencing behavioral health issues. Factors from one level can influence factors from another level of influence. Discussion Resilience is defined by the Marine Corps as the ability or capacity to successfully adapt in the presence of adversity and or risk (CG, 2019). Warriors possess grit, toughness, and the determination to persevere, however they also require a balance or total fitness approach to not only adapt but flourish. The combined arms approach to force preservation offers additional lenses to view and tackle the behavioral health issues. Using a holistic view of mind, body, spirit, and social; each area is of equal importance as physical strength does not outweigh mental strength nor spiritual growth and resilience; just as healthy peer relations are of equal importance as well