The Natchaug Military Mental Health Symposium, hosted by Natchaug Hospital, a partner in the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network, is an annual event dedicated to addressing the unique mental health needs of active service members, veterans, and their families. Held at the ECSU J. Eugene Smith Library in the Johnson Room in Willimantic, Connecticut, the symposium brings together healthcare professionals, behavioral health providers, community agencies, and members of the military and civilian communities.

The Symposium focuses on raising awareness of the mental health challenges faced by military personnel across their service lifecycle—from active duty to veteran status and provides education and training for healthcare professionals who may have limited exposure to military-specific mental health issues.

It is our hope through the Symposium to foster community connections and improve access to care for veterans and service members.

Key topics covered include such things as Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Substance use disorders, Suicide prevention and crisis intervention, Military-related trauma and stress disorders, Barriers to therapy and strategies to motivate help-seeking behavior and the intersection of physical and psychological health in veterans

The 2025 Symposium will explore moral injury, a profound psychological and spiritual distress that arises when a person commits, witnesses, or fails to prevent actions that violate their deeply held moral beliefs or ethical code.

In military settings, moral injury can be especially devastating due to the high-stakes nature of combat and the ethical dilemmas service members face. Addressing moral injury is essential for holistic veteran care and suicide prevention, as untreated moral injury can erode psychological resilience and well-being.