Army officer warns of mental health woes

WASHINGTON - Mental health screening isn't consistent for U.S. troops returning from war, and if they don't say they need help they often don't get it, the Army's top medical officer said Friday.

"If an individual checks nothing, I have no mental health issues, they're not necessarily being sent to mental health counseling," said Army Surgeon General Kevin Kiley, speaking at a hearing on military medical readiness before the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

It is estimated that about 17 percent of returning warfighters have post-traumatic stress disorder or severe anxiety and depression, compared to about 6 or 7 percent of the general population, Kiley said.

Studies show some troops fear being stigmatized if they acknowledge they have problems such as nightmares, hyper vigilance or anxiety. Or, some want to spend time with their families instead of getting mental health help.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070119/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/veterans_mental_health

:eyes:

Especially for his crazy ass.

But back to the soldiars they should all be evaluated, even if they don't ask for it. What guy or gal who has been in that macho environment is going to come home and say I need help?

A sewer like Iraq will leave awful scars on many.

I think each major city and medium towns should provide mental health to the soldiars for free.

mind control used by armed forces pushes them to the limit mentally

its not working

before they pass it along to SOs and offspring and so they themselves can get treatment.

gore in the battle fields.

Brutal cruelty of war always destroy and corrupt the mind of young people.

After the war experience, one could never live normal again.

are still languishing without mental health care... so don't anyone hold their breath about the next batch... I predict uglyness...

oh wait, he said he sleeps just fine, thank you. I guess not everyone is bothered by death and carnage.