Own your mental condition. Then learn, fight, win!
The Department of Veterans Affairs has published powerful guidance from a senior military leader on taking ownership of mental health conditions rather than denying or hiding them. Retired Major General Gregg Martin, who served as president of National Defense University before experiencing a mental health crisis in 2014, shares his personal journey from diagnosis through recovery to illustrate how veterans can transform devastating mental illness into managed conditions that no longer control their lives. His message centers on a simple but profound approach: own your diagnosis, learn everything about it, fight it with proper treatment, and ultimately win by building a new life of purpose.
Mental health conditions affect veterans at significantly higher rates than the general population, with PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder among the most common diagnoses. The VA provides mental health services through its medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics, and telehealth programs, but many veterans delay seeking help due to stigma, fear of career consequences, or simple denial that anything is wrong. General Martin's story directly confronts this reluctance by demonstrating that even a two-star general at the peak of his career faced mental illness, got proper treatment, and rebuilt his life afterward.
This guidance applies to all veterans struggling with mental health conditions, regardless of disability rating, service era, or current enrollment status. Veterans already connected to VA healthcare can access mental health services through their existing care teams, while those not yet enrolled can still reach the Veterans Crisis Line at any time. Family members and fellow veterans who recognize warning signs in someone they care about also benefit from understanding this framework, as they often serve as the critical first observers who encourage a struggling veteran to seek professional evaluation.
General Martin's crisis came in 2014 when he experienced full mania and was subsequently fired, forced to retire, and hospitalized. At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C., he received his diagnosis of bipolar disorder type 1, psychosis, and PTSD. Rather than resisting or denying the diagnosis despite being suicidal and broken, he thanked his doctor and immediately reframed the situation as having identified an enemy he could fight. His treatment eventually included lithium and Lamictal, medications that worked for his specific condition after proper diagnosis made targeted treatment possible.
For disabled veterans, this guidance matters because mental health conditions often compound physical disabilities and can prevent veterans from effectively pursuing or maintaining their benefits. Unmanaged mental illness interferes with the ability to attend appointments, gather evidence for claims, maintain employment, and sustain family relationships. Conversely, properly diagnosed and treated mental health conditions may themselves qualify for VA disability compensation, and veterans can receive both mental health treatment and disability benefits simultaneously. The VA rates mental health conditions from zero to 100 percent based on occupational and social impairment, making accurate diagnosis and documentation essential.
General Martin emphasizes that mental health conditions require the same straightforward approach as physical injuries: professional evaluation, accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and ongoing management. He describes his bipolar disorder as something that will not disappear but can be managed and even leveraged for positive qualities like creativity, energy, and drive. His recovery included not just medication but building a new sense of purpose centered on helping others through sharing his story.
Veterans experiencing mental health symptoms should request a mental health evaluation through their VA provider or contact the Veterans Crisis Line for immediate support. Those not currently enrolled in VA healthcare can visit their nearest VA medical center to begin enrollment and request mental health screening. Taking ownership of a mental health condition starts with the willingness to get a professional diagnosis rather than self-managing symptoms that may worsen over time.