Nondisclosure Of Mental Health Treatments Policy 'Welcome Sign' For Improved Care Of Service Members, Editorial Says

Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 06 May 2008 - 12:00 PDT

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A new policy ending a requirement that military personnel applying for security clearance disclose any treatment they received for service-related mental health problems is a "welcome sign that the military is serious about changing how those in need of mental care are perceived and treated," a Washington Post editorial states. The editorial adds that the policy, announced last week by the Department of Defense, "comes none too soon for service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with invisible wounds."

According to the editorial, the policy addresses just "one barrier" to mental health treatment, as problems "persist with the system's capacity to provide effective treatment." Advocates currently are pushing for "troops to be able to seek alcohol and substance abuse counseling and treatment confidentially, without notifying their commanders," and the "Pentagon wants its military leaders to come forward with their own stories of receiving mental health care," the editorial notes.

The Post concludes that the "key ... is to convince a culture built on toughness that 'you can be tough and seek help for dealing with these problems'" (Washington Post, 5/5).

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