|
Today we received more disturbing news about the tremendous strain that overseas deployments have put on our men and women in uniform. The RAND Corporation released a study that found roughly one in five U.S. troops is suffering from major depression or post-traumatic stress as a result of serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The study also found that even more have suffered some form of traumatic brain injury, often considered the signature injury of the Iraq War.
While this trend is not new, this study confirms what we have known for some time: extended tours and multiple deployments without sufficient down time contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder. What is perhaps most disturbing is the finding that only about half those with PTSD or depression have sought treatment, and only half again received minimally adequate treatment.
This means that while one in five of our men and women are suffering, only a quarter of those who come home with these debilitating conditions are receiving the treatment they need.
I’ve heard from veterans in my district who never sought mental health treatment either because it wasn’t available or because there was a stigma attached to it. Without treatment, these veterans are at risk of engaging in self-destructive behavior like drinking and using drugs, they may have marital problems, and some even contemplate suicide.
This is why we must take this study seriously.
These brave men and women offered to lay down their lives in defense of our Nation. We owe them no less than an absolute commitment to provide them with the support and care they need to return to healthy and productive civilian lives.
|
