Sebastian Junger’s book, TRIBE: On Homecoming and Belonging sheds light on an approach to address the decline of mental health amongst our Soldiers, Veterans, and Nation. Sebastian Junger is a best-selling author and co-directed two documentary films on the war in Afghanistan, “Restrepo” and “Korengal.”
This book will influence thought toward innovative ideas in addressing our Nation’s suicide and mental health problems. It’s a short easy read and packed with an abundance of reflective thought. Personally reflecting on the book through the lens of today’s mental health issues can influence creative solutions for this problem. Research has demonstrated that a sense of unity and belonging provides various psychological benefits. Relying on a network of friends, peers, and mentors, to include serving each other, serves as a psychotherapeutic approach with a significant impact on changing one’s perception of the environmental variables influencing PTSD, suicide, and violent behavior.
Sebastian discusses the loss of closeness and purpose that occurs when Soldiers redeploy from combat. Some warriors miss the excitement of war, but most miss the unity felt amongst their close buddies who endured the adversity of combat together. Additionally, returning home comes with exposure to the craziness of politics and other environmental variables not experienced when deployed. War has a shared meaning amongst their deployed team, yet this shared meaning doesn’t exist back home, and this adversity can become challenging to endure.
In TRIBE, Sebastian provides historical examples of societies that have thrived due to two characteristics, freedom and the sense of community. His examples demonstrate how adversity can bring a community together as they face challenges with a unified purpose. He provides examples of the early American Indian and Israeli societies and the closeness developed by Londoners during Hitlers’ bombing campaign. He uses neuroscience to explain how servings others in your the community influences the release of chemicals in the brain that causes one to feel happy, safe, and a sense of belonging.
I recommend this book. Use it to influence innovative ideas in the development of stress management amongst your organizations. We can apply these approaches now, not only by placing more effort into expanding access to psychiatrists and behavioral health therapists but also empowering leaders at the lowest level through training them in coaching and counseling techniques. Soldiers are more likely to approach a peer or mentor for help than make an appointment with a mental health professional.
