Volume_4_Issue_2_Digest

TPC D igest 17 Counselors and the Military: When Protocol and Ethics Conflict – DIGEST Elizabeth A. Prosek Jessica M. Holm Elizabeth A. Prosek, NCC, is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas. Jessica M. Holm is a doctoral student at the University of North Texas. Correspondence can be addressed to Elizabeth A. Prosek, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #310829, Denton, TX 76203-5017, elizabeth.prosek@unt.edu. T he American Community Survey esti- mated that 21.5 million veterans live in the United States. A reported 1.6 million veterans served in the Gulf War opera- tions that began post-9/11 in 2001. Pre-9/11 data suggested that 11% of military service members utilized mental health services in the year 2000. In 2003, post-9/11 comparative data reported that 19% of veterans deployed to Iraq accessed mental health services within one year of return. Recognizing the increased need for mental health assessment, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) mandated the Post-Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA) for all returning service members. One study reported that veterans present with mental health symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicidal ide- ation, and they are most likely to access mental health services 3–4 months post-deployment. Studies indicated that mental health service needs are underestimated among the military population and therefore a potential burden to an understaffed helping profession system. It is evident that the veteran population remain at risk for problems related to optimal mental health functioning and therefore require assis- tance from trained helping professionals. Historically, the DOD employed social workers and psychologists almost exclu- sively to provide mental health services in the military setting. Recently, the DOD and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expanded services and created more job positions for mental health clinicians. Because licensed pro- fessional counselors (LPCs) are now employ- able by VA service providers (e.g., VA hospi- tals) and approved TRICARE providers, it is imperative to develop an understanding of the military system, especially the potential con- flict that may exist between military protocol and counselor ethical guidelines. The military health system requires mental health profes-