Washington, D.C. - The House voted today in support of an amendment drafted by U.S. Reps. Brian Baird (D-WA) and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), requiring the Secretary of Defense to launch a comprehensive review of the mental health and counseling services available to U.S. soldiers and their families.  The Baird-Kennedy amendment was included in the fiscal year 2005 Defense Authorization Act.

“We have hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops risking their lives in combat every day in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Rep. Baird.  “Under these circumstances, providing them with first rate psychological care is just as important as providing for their physical well-being.”

The Baird-Kennedy amendment will force the Department of Defense (DOD) to address tough issues, such as how the decision to seek mental health treatment can impact a servicemember’s career, and the extent to which the military’s lack of firm confidentiality policies hamper treatment of soldiers and combat veterans.  The amendment will also require DOD to examine disparities between the mental health services afforded the active duty military, and those available to members of the Reserve and National Guard.

"Critical to the success of our armed forces is a commitment that we give them all of the tools and support that they need to conduct their missions.  That means making sure they get the finest health care -- mental as well as physical -- to maximize their effectiveness.  And when they come back from all of the sacrifices they make for us, we need to do everything in our power to help them rejoin their families and leave the horrors of war behind.  Given the conditions our troops are currently enduring in the Middle East, this service is more needed now than ever," said Rep. Kennedy.

“We owe this to our soldiers and their families,” said Rep. Baird, who worked extensively with veterans of the Vietnam War as a clinical psychologist prior to being elected to Congress.  “In past conflicts, we have failed to provide adequate mental health care for our soldiers, and many suffered as a result.  This can’t happen again - we cannot let our soldiers fall through the cracks. ”

The amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to submit the findings of the study to Congress, including a section detailing any shortcomings identified, and specific recommendations for addressing them, not more than 90 days after the President signs the bill into law.

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