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New Data Shows Alarming Rates of Military Mental Health Problems
April 18, 2008 02:44 PM
by
findingDulcinea Staff
A survey shows one-fifth of all American soldiers who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are suffering mental health problems, raising national awareness of military health needs.
30-Second Summary
Only about half of the estimated 300,000 soldiers with mental health problems have sought treatment, according to a new survey by the Rand Corp.
But the new survey should help “to raise the visibility and the attention that’s needed by the American public at large” where military physical and mental health is concerned, said Army Surgeon General Eric Schoomaker.
Military officials and the U.S. government are paying more attention to the problem, as it becomes too big to ignore.
In November 2007, President Bush signed the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill into law, which aims to help veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Some states, such as Montana, are taking their own steps to prevent military suicides.
Montana is believed to be the only state in the nation that requires two mental health screenings for National Guard soldiers who return home from combat.
With the new programs geared to help service members, officials are working to change a military culture that can make soldiers embarrassed to seek mental health treatment.
Col. Loree Sutton, who leads a Pentagon center on brain injury, said, “We’ve got to get the word out that seeking help is a sign of strength.”
But the new survey should help “to raise the visibility and the attention that’s needed by the American public at large” where military physical and mental health is concerned, said Army Surgeon General Eric Schoomaker.
Military officials and the U.S. government are paying more attention to the problem, as it becomes too big to ignore.
In November 2007, President Bush signed the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill into law, which aims to help veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Some states, such as Montana, are taking their own steps to prevent military suicides.
Montana is believed to be the only state in the nation that requires two mental health screenings for National Guard soldiers who return home from combat.
With the new programs geared to help service members, officials are working to change a military culture that can make soldiers embarrassed to seek mental health treatment.
Col. Loree Sutton, who leads a Pentagon center on brain injury, said, “We’ve got to get the word out that seeking help is a sign of strength.”
Headline Link: ‘Nearly 1 in 5 Troops Has Mental Problems After War Service’
Based on the results of a survey of 1,965 military personnel, Rand Corp. estimates that at least 300,000 soldiers who served in Iraq or Afghanistan have mental health problems. Unless troops receive proper care, said Rand researcher Terri Tanielian, “there will be long-term consequences for them and for the nation.”
Source: USA Today
Analysis: Military suicide statistics
The Department of Veterans Affairs has reported that of soldiers who served in Iraq or Afghanistan, 53 percent of veteran suicides from the years 2001 through 2005 were committed by members of the National Guard or Reserves. About one in five solders had been seen at least once by a VA facility, according to the Associated Press.
Source: MSNBC (Associated Press)
Related Topics: Improved mental health screening for soldiers
In Nov. 2007, the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Bill became law. Its requirements include mental health training for Veterans Affairs personnel and suicide prevention counselors at VA medical facilities. Joshua Omvig committed suicide in Dec. 2005 after completing an 11-month deployment in Iraq.
Source: Iowa Independent
Montana issued the requirement of two mental health screenings for returning National Guard members after a soldier committed suicide 16 months after returning home from service in Iraq. “The Montana National Guard has used this tragedy to create a program that should be implemented across the country,” said the stepbrother of the deceased soldier.
Source: Billings Gazette
President Bush has committed to reducing troop deployments in Iraq from 15 months to 12 months. The change was recommended by the Pentagon, which, according to the Los Angeles Times, had voiced concern “that the longer deployments were placing too much stress on the force.”
Source: findingDulcinea
Reference: Supporting the military
FindingDulcinea offers a Web Guide for supporting the military, including how to send military care packages, support military families and help wounded soldiers.
Source: findingDulcinea
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
