Report Addresses Veterans' Care

The military knows that there are considerable problems in the way service-connected mental health problems are handled today. Fortunately, momentum is building that could lead to considerable changes in how our country deals with these service-connected injuries.

The Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health argued in its final report -- http://www.ha.osd.mil/dhb/mhtf/default.cfm -- that the magnitude of service-connected mental health problems in the military is considerable, with 49 percent of Guard members who've served in Iraq and Afghanistan having mental health problems, 38 percent of members of the regular Army, and 31 percent of Marines. In addition, the task force noted that the resources devoted to addressing these problems are inadequate. Finally, the task force noted that there are various barriers to proper care, included pervasive anti-mental health care stigma in the military. DOD must do a much better job of informing those who've been to war that [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] is an injury and that they deserve every opportunity to recover. PTSD is not a sign of weakness. It is a proven medical reality of sustained exposure to combat.

Fortunately, the Army has started a more aggressive training program regarding PTSD (as well as [Traumatic Brain Injury]). Army leaders state that the aim of this program is ensure that, from top to bottom, there is a better understanding of the reality of service-connected mental health issues. If implemented, this could lead to better detection and treatment of such problems.

The Department of Defense realizes the profound impact of the combat environment on the mental and emotional well-being of military personnel and their families. On July 18, the Army began an unprecedented awareness campaign to educate more than one million Active, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers over the next 90 days about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Development and implementation of this chain teaching program has been one of the highest priorities for both the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army. The presentation and materials were vetted throughout the Army, not only in the medical channels, but through the leadership and soldier focus groups as well.

Coincidentally, more than 200 General Officers and Senior Executive Service civilians participated in this PTSD and mild TBI Chain Teaching Program. The presentation is a combination of briefing slides and video clips. Commanders and leaders use an accompanying script to ensure the material is presented accurately and consistently throughout the Army.

*First, leaders and soldiers throughout the chain of command, to include the Army Chief of Staff, must take care of themselves and their buddies. Knowing how to recognize symptoms of PTSD and TBI and being aware of the available treatment options are the first steps towards addressing these issues.

*Second, seeking mental health treatment should not be perceived as a sign of weakness. Rather it should send a powerful signal of strength and personal courage. We are aware that mental health treatment carries with it a certain stigma. Soldiers must understand that seeking treatment for PTSD is no different than being treated for medical conditions such as hypertension. Untreated psychiatric conditions have an impact on soldier readiness and well-being and the Army is committed to providing the very best treatment possible. Additional information about the PTSD/mTBI chain teaching may be found at www.behavioralhealth.army.mil. The site also has information for soldiers, families, couples, and children on the behavioral health aspects of deployments.

The program is a model for all of the military services. When it comes to diagnosis and treatment of PTSD, the military services and the VA have some of the most experienced providers in the world. Even though Army psychiatry and psychology training programs include comprehensive training in PTSD, collaboration is happening with the VA's National Center for PTSD to develop additional training and tools for our behavioral health providers. PTSD training is being conducted for primary care providers, nurses and social workers working in our Warrior Transition Units. A pilot program entitled RESPECT-MIL also provides behavioral health training to primary care providers and enhances their ability to identify, treat, and refer patients with mental health concerns. This pilot was so successful at Fort Bragg that it is being pushed across the Army to 15 additional installations this year.