MARADMIN 463/23 - Self-Initiated Referral Process for Mental Health Evaluations of Marines - The Brandon Act

Scope

MARADMIN 463/23 announces the Self-Initiated Referral Process for Mental Health Evaluations (MHE) of Marines under the Brandon Act (Section 704 of Public Law 117-81). The MARADMIN implements DTM 23-005 effective 2023-05-05. Marines initiate a referral process for an MHE through their commanding officer (CO) or supervisor in the grade of E-6 or above. The Brandon Act aims to reduce stigma and foster a help-seeking culture. Applicability is Active-Duty Marines and members of the Active Reserve.

Audience

• Marines on Active Duty. Request a referral for an MHE at any time, for any reason, in any environment.
• Commanding officers and supervisors in the grade of E-6 or above. Receive the referral request and route to a mental health provider as soon as practicable.
• Reserve Component commands. Establish referral plans as soon as practicable for Marines not on Active Duty.
• OSCAR providers. Embedded mental health providers at commands. Primary source of mental health care.
• Primary Care Managers (PCMs). Issue referrals to civilian healthcare network.
• Marine and Family Programs (MFC). Owns the program.

Referral process

• Marines request a referral for any reason or basis. No requirement to provide a reason.
• Commanders refer Marines to a mental health provider as soon as practicable.
• Patient rights and confidentiality protected per DTM 23-005.
• Treat MHE referrals like other medical service referrals to the maximum extent possible.
• Command-directed MHE concerns continue under DoDI 6490.04 (concerns about behavior, performance changes, fitness for duty).

Crisis resources

• Suicidal ideation is an emergency. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 or go to the nearest emergency room.
• Europe. 00800 1273 8255 or DSN 118.
• Korea. 080-855-5118 or DSN 118.
• Philippines. #MYVA or 02-8550-3888, press 7.
• Japan. 098-970-8255 or 098-954-0123.
• Chat. https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/.

Connection to higher policy

• Public Law 117-81 Section 704. The Brandon Act, dated 2020-06-25.
• DoDI 6490.04. Mental Health Evaluations of Members of the Military Services.
• DoDI 6490.08. Command Notification Requirements to Dispel Stigma in Providing Mental Health Care to Service Members.
• ALNAV 015/23. Individual Medical Readiness Elements, Goals, and Metrics Policy Update.
• ALNAV 054/23. Implementation of Brandon Act.
• Directive-Type Memorandum 23-005 dated 2023-05-05. Self-Initiated Referral Process for Mental Health Evaluations of Service Members.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine

• USMC Combat and Operational Stress Control (COSC) program. Skills and coping mechanisms.
• OSCAR (Operational Stress Control and Readiness) embedded mental health providers.
• MCO 1752.5C. SAPR Program. Cross-references for trauma response.
• No Wrong Door policy. Marines access the full continuum of resources.

Status

Released 2023-09-18, DTG R 181600Z SEP 23. Originator CMC Washington DC MRA MF. Release authorized by Lieutenant General James F. Glynn, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Applicability is Active-Duty Marines and the Active Reserve. POC Tomomi Owens at MFC, 703-432-9797, tomomi.j.owens@usmc.mil. DTM 23-005 expired effective 2024-05-05 and folded into DoDI 6490.04.