Psychiatric Casualties artwork

Psychiatric Casualties

by Dr. Mark Russell & Dr. Charles Figley

This podcast is a clinical exploration into the untold truth of military mental healthcare from two insiders. Join Navy Veteran and psychologist, Mark Russell and Marine Veteran and psychologist, Charles Figley as they explore evidence of preventable generational wartime mental health crises, the "dark side" of the military's long-standing strategies to deal with its mental health dilemma, and what is required to truly transform behavioral health both within and outside of military populations. Psychiatric Casualties is a podcast of the Coming Home Well Network.

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Latest Episodes

Apr 24, 2025 · 46 min
In this poignant final episode of Psychiatric Casualties, hosts Mark Russell and Charles Figley are joined by special guest Kathy Figley for a powerful and emotional close to their podcast journey. Together, they reflect on the stories, challenges, and revelations they’ve shared while confronting th…
Apr 18, 2025 · 53 min
Mark, Charles and Kat confront one of the most pressing and persistent issues facing our armed forces: the chronic neglect of military mental health care. As this series is coming to the last two episodes, Mark prepares to step away from the podcast, he reflects on his personal journey—one that bega…
Mar 27, 2025 · 37 min
In this episode, Charles, Mark and Kat tackle the complex dynamics of military mental health care and its evolution over the years. They discuss the lasting impact of wars, particularly the Persian Gulf and Vietnam, on mental health practices in the military and how these lessons have influenced civ…
Mar 16, 2025 · 36 min
Mark, Charles and Kat discuss the progress made over the years, the lessons learned from past wars, and the ongoing challenges faced by veterans today. With a focus on resilience and the importance of mental well-being, this episode sheds light on how the military can serve as a model for broader so…
Mar 5, 2025 · 28 min
Mark, Charles and Kathy embark on a critical discussion about the cyclical pattern of indifference that follows wartime crises. They delve into the concept of the 'national reset,' where the military's focus shifts away from mental health once public and media attention wanes. Together they explore …
Feb 19, 2025 · 41 min
Charles, Mark and Kat explore the chronic indifference towards mental health in the military, tracing its roots through generational patterns of preventable crises. With insights from their extensive research and personal experiences, they discuss the stigma surrounding mental health, the lack of re…
Jan 31, 2025 · 28 min
In this episode Charles, Mark and Kathy are touching thought provoking content and some my find it triggering. Please be aware! Your hosts are focusing on the experimental and sometimes dangerous treatments used throughout history. From electric shock therapy to prefrontal lobotomies, we explore the…
Jan 22, 2025 · 36 min
Mark and Charles, along with special guest Kathy Figley, discuss the parallels between military and disaster management mental health issues and shedding light on the stigma and systemic failures that prevent effective treatment. The discussion highlights historical lessons from World Wars, the cont…
Jan 3, 2025 · 49 min
Discover why the military continues to ignore the full cost of war and how a Behavioral Health Corps could be the solution to this pressing issue. With insights from over 214 investigations and comparisons to international military practices, this episode sheds light on the urgent need for change. D…
Dec 25, 2024 · 52 min
In this compelling episode of Psychiatric Casualties, Mark and Charles explore the chronic lack of accountability within the military's mental health system, discussing the failure to learn from past war trauma lessons and the resulting generational crises. The episode highlights the fragmented orga…
Dec 13, 2024 · 52 min
Mark and Charles continue the second part of discussion into the controversial topic of faulty diagnoses and backdoor discharges. They explore the historical and ongoing neglect of veterans suffering from conditions like PTSD, examining how military policies have prioritized expediency over proper c…
Nov 29, 2024 · 51 min
Mark and Charles dig into the dark side strategies of military mental health care, focusing on the systemic issues of faulty diagnosis and backdoor discharges. As they navigate through Chapter 9 of their book, they shed light on how the military's implicit policies have historically neglected the ps…
Nov 8, 2024 · 57 min
This week's episode pivots around the military's tactics of delay and deception in addressing the psychological impact of warfare, exploring how these issues ripple through generations of military families. They discuss the historical context of mental health care in the military, revealing shocking…
Oct 25, 2024 · 45 min
Mark Russell and Charles Figley explore the military's strategies of delay and deception in addressing psychiatric casualties of war, as detailed in Chapter 8 of their book. Mark highlights the systemic issues that prevent effective mental health care for service members. The discussion sheds light …
Oct 4, 2024 · 47 min
In this episode, Mark and Charles explore the historical context of psychiatric screenings, the purging of perceived weaknesses, and the staggering rates of psychiatric casualties from the Civil War to modern-day conflicts. The discussion highlights the flawed policies, the stigmatization of mental …
Sep 20, 2024 · 59 min
Mark and Charles talk about Chapter 7 of their book, "Psychiatric Casualties," focusing on the military's strategy of purging weakness to avoid learning from war trauma. They discuss the historical context of trauma pension debates, the ineffectiveness of psychiatric screenings, and the ongoing stru…
Sep 6, 2024 · 48 min
Today's episode taps into the discussion of the historical context of denial in military mental health, the consequences of this denial, and the ongoing challenges faced by service members. Mark and Charles also touch on their personal anecdotes, the role of denial in both adaptive and maladaptive f…
Aug 23, 2024 · 56 min
In this episode, Charles Figley, along with Mark Russell and Kathy Regan Figley, discuss the chronic neglect of psychiatric casualties and how the military frequently ignores the full cost of war. The conversation touches on a range of topics, including traumatic memories, fear-related symptoms, and…
Aug 2, 2024 · 51 min
In this episode, Kathy Figley joins Mark and Charles in focusing on the stigmatization and systemic barriers that prevent service members from seeking necessary treatment. Kathy, who brings her unique perspective as a wife, first responder, and traumatologist works collectively with Mark and Charles…
Jul 19, 2024 · 46 min
In this powerful episode, Mark and Charles talk about weaponizing stigma with special guest Kathy, a seasoned mental health professional and disaster responder. Together, they explore the institutional, public, and self-stigma that surrounds mental health in the military, drawing parallels with firs…