Troops in Afghanistan face mental health issues, studies say

[namvet]

this war is something special??? all wars create issues. end a story

 

[Douger]

An ophthalmologist might be able to remove the flag from their eyes. Dunno.

 

[waltky]

Pentagon's mental illness 'Bad Paper' discharges...

Pentagon Issued 'Bad Paper' Discharges to Troops with Mental Illnesses
17 May 2017 | WASHINGTON -- More than 13,000 service members separated from the military for misconduct in recent years suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or another disorder and were prevented from receiving treatment from the Department of Veterans Affairs because of their discharge status.

The Government Accountability Office released a report Tuesday detailing the thousands of possibly improper discharges the Defense Department issued from 2011 through 2015. The report states the Defense Department is inconsistent and doesn't always follow its own policies to take into consideration that a service-related medical disorder could have led to a service member's misconduct. The report particularly focuses on PTSD and TBI, signature wounds of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that the GAO report stated can change service members' moods and behaviors and lead to disciplinary problems. "Really, it's providing us with definitive proof to support what we've been saying for years: that the vast majority of veterans with bad paper are those who have been afflicted by PTSD, TBI and other conditions," said Kris Goldsmith, with Vietnam Veterans for America, who has been advocating for years for the Defense Department to change their discharge procedures. "DOD has been treating veterans like they're disposable."

During the four-year span, the Defense Department separated 91,764 service members for misconduct, and 57,141 -- or 62 percent -- were diagnosed with PTSD, TBI or other conditions such as adjustment, anxiety, bipolar or substance abuse disorders within two years before leaving the service. About 35 percent of service members had adjustment disorders, which are psychological responses to stressful events. Eleven percent had TBI and 8 percent were diagnosed with PTSD. Most of the service members were given a "general" discharge, making them ineligible for some VA services. But 13,283 were given the more stringent "other-than-honorable" discharge, which disqualifies them from receiving VA health care. The GAO report found the Navy and Air Force didn't have a policy to medically screen service members for PTSD and TBI before they're separated for misconduct.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Freddy Toruno, positions a service member for a CT scan at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan’s Craig Joint Theater Hospital​

Included in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act was a measure titled the "Fairness for Veterans Act" that requires Defense Department panels that review discharges to consider medical evidence from a veteran's health care provider. Panels are supposed to review each case presuming PTSD, TBI or another condition led to the discharge. The office also found that in cases where service members facing disciplinary action chose separation rather than go through a trial by court-martial, the Army and Marine Corps might not have told servicemembers that the decision meant they were ineligible for VA services. Army officials also might not be following a policy to train officers to identify symptoms of TBI in service members, the report states. Inconsistencies and unfollowed policies have led to increased risk that service members are being "inappropriately" separated from the military, the GAO wrote.

The Defense Department agreed with most of the GAO's recommendations to fix the issues. However, the department disputed some of the data included in the report, including a finding that 16 percent of separated service members suffered from PTSD or TBI. The Defense Department argued GAO double counted, and GAO maintained it didn't. The Defense Department also had concerns the GAO included adjustment and depression in its list of conditions that could have caused misconduct and led to service members' separation. The Defense Department said there was no clinical evidence to back that up, but the GAO said they came up with the list by talking with Defense Department and mental health professionals about conditions that could be caused or exacerbated by military service.

Tuesday's report prompted Vietnam Veterans of America to renew their plea to President Donald Trump to establish a program to upgrade "bad paper" discharges for post-9/11 veterans who suffered from mental health conditions. The group first asked Trump in December to pardon the veterans. Advocates estimate about 22,000 veterans with mental illnesses have received other-than-honorable discharges since 2009. "These are veterans who volunteered to serve in a time of war, yet they've been failed by previous administrations," VVA National President John Rowan said Tuesday in a statement. "Our current commander-in-chief can't hesitate now. President Trump has always supported our veterans, and we are confident that he will listen to our plea."

Pentagon Issued 'Bad Paper' Discharges to Troops with Mental Illnesses | Military.com

 

[waltky]

VA Provides Service Dogs To Veterans With Mental Health Issues...

VA Program Provides Service Dogs To Veterans With Mental Health Issues
19 May 2017 | The VA is looking for veterans with PTSD and other mental health issues to participate in a service dog pilot program.

VA already provides service dogs to veterans diagnosed as having visual, hearing or substantial physical mobility impairments that can be helped with the assistance of a guide dog or service dog. This pilot program adds chronic mental health issues as potential factors that may limit a veteran's mobility. Federal regulations only allow the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with hearing or sight loss, or those who have mobility issues - trouble getting around. Previously, the VA interpreted the definition of "mobility issues" to physical conditions that limited a veteran's mobility. The VA is now expanding their interpretation of this rule by saying that veterans suffering from severe PTSD or other mental health issues often are prevented from leaving their home or interacting with the general public as as result of their mental health issues. Therefore a veteran's mobility can also be limited by mental health conditions.

Even though this program adds chronic mental health impairment as a potential issue that could limit a veteran's mobility, the VA still must determine if the service dog can assist a veteran by enhancing their mental health and mobility. The VA is hoping that a service dog can help set a veteran on the path to independent living. The pilot seeks to provide service dogs to 100 veterans with mental health issues, so far the VA has only approved 11 veterans for the program. There are 57 applications under review. The VA is also involved with a Congressionally ordered long-term study of service dogs for veterans with post traumatic stress. It's tracking more than 200 veteran and service dog teams, but it will take years to collect the data collection and analyze it.

VA Secretary David Shulkin said, "I've seen the impact that these dogs can have on veterans and so I'm a believer. I don't want to wait until the research is there. If there's something that can help our veterans, we want to be pursuing it," The VA doesn't breed dogs—but relies on outside organizations, mostly non-profits, to raise and train them. The VA does provide veterinary care and equipment, however they don't pay for boarding, grooming, food, or any other routine expense associated with owning a dog. Service dogs are distinguished from pets and comfort animals because they are specially trained to perform tasks or work for a specific individual with a disability who cannot perform the task or accomplish the work independently. To be eligible for the veterinary health benefit, the service dog must be trained by an organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International in accordance with VA regulations.

Additional information about VA’s service dog program can be found at Guide and Service Dogs - Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services Veterans with post-traumatic stress, depression or anxiety can apply to be part of this pilot project if they receive care from the VA. Interested veterans should start by talking to their treatment team and asking to be considered for a service dog under this program. For more information see for the Mental Health Mobility Service Dog Benefit Pilot, or contact the VHA Center for Compassionate Innovation at [email protected].

VA Program Provides Service Dogs To Veterans With Mental Health Issues | Military.com

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Troops in Afghanistan face mental health issues, studies say



Troops in Afghanistan face mental health issues, studies say - latimes.com

Not much new about combat vets and PTSD.
The symptoms of PTSD can even be traced back to ancient times.
PTSD and the many issues related to it were not identified until after the Vietnam War.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was first defined as a distinct diagnosis in the 3rd edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III), published in 1980

A Short History of PTSD can be found at the link below.
Welcome To Vietnam Veterans of America

Well actually Stinger right now our Military are being asked to go on multiple combat deployments, which is something we haven't really seen in the past, I know in Vietnam you were only asked to go once, maybe twice if you volunteered, now we are dealing with men and women who have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan 4, 5 , 6 times. From what I am hearing we are in unchartered territory in dealing with the mental scars of our men and women coming back, and keep in mind Afghanistan isn't even done yet, we haven't even touched the tip of the iceberg.

Your statement regarding multiple deployments to Vietnam is not correct. Some career military could expect 2 or more deployments to Vietnam. There was no endless supply of SR. NCOs and Field Grade Officers to staff Army Divisions deployed to Vietnam, Germany, South Korea and stateside. The Marine Corps had to maintain deployable units of the 2nd Marine Division stationed at Camp Le Jeune, NC as well as the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions ( the 3rd was reinforced by the 26th Marine Regiment ) deployed in Vietnam. My Plt. Sgt. in Vietnam was deployed a second time a year after he was promoted to Gunnery Sgt. As the career military moved up in rank , their probabilities of being deployed again to Vietnam increased.

When you say I know , you need to be sure that you are correct. Those of us who served in Vietnam are witnesses to history.

While what you say is true, there are buck sergeants with at least two deployments to the Stan. Some of the senior NCOs are on tour 4 or 5.

 

[yiostheoy]

Troops in Afghanistan face mental health issues, studies say

After an American soldier allegedly killed 16 Afghans in their homes in a horrific shooting spree during the weekend, military officials speaking on condition of anonymity said it was believed the suspect in the slayings had suffered a mental breakdown.

Though the reason for Sunday's tragedy remains under investigation, mental illness has been a persistent and growing problem for members of the military in Afghanistan, according to several recent studies.

Psychological problems recently reached a five-year high among Marines in Afghanistan, according to a study by a mental health advisory team last year. Nearly 20% of the Marines surveyed in Afghanistan reported psychological problems such as severe stress and depression in 2010, twice the rate as in 2005.

As military personnel are sent into combat over and over, their risk of mental health problems grows, the study found. Almost a third of Marines on their third or fourth deployment in Afghanistan reported psychological problems, compared with 14% of Marines deployed for the first time.

The study also found that the Marines who most need help are most averse to getting it. The stigma tied to getting help for mental health problems was roughly twice as strong among Marines suffering psychological problems, with nearly half saying it would make them seem weak, the study said.

Another recent study found that mental disorders and suicide rates in the military surged up between 2004 and 2008. Mental illness rates nearly doubled after troops were sent to Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army Public Health Command found.

"The increase in suicide rates may be viewed as the tip of the 'mental health iceberg,'" the study published last week said.

Troops in Afghanistan face mental health issues, studies say - latimes.com

It's tough to be away from home and in a hostile environment for an extended period of time.

It's worse even than being stuck on a freighter at sea most of the year.