Chair Of Joint Chiefs Calls For Broader PTSD Screenings

Main Category: Anxiety / Stress
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry;  Mental Health;  Public Health
Article Date: 15 Oct 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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Michael Mullen, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently proposed that all returning combat troops undergo screening for post-traumatic stress disorder with a mental health professional, according to USA Today. Troops currently fill out questionnaires after combat tours that aid in assessing their mental health and are examined by physicians for physical injuries, but they do not meet with a mental health professional. According to USA Today, a trained mental health professional can determine signs of PTSD within five minutes in an in-person meeting.

Mullen said troops often are reluctant to acknowledge psychological problems because they are hesitant to show weakness. According to Terri Tanielian, co-director of RAND's Center for Military Health Policy Research, troops are concerned that seeking mental health treatment could negatively affect their military career. Mullen said the Pentagon has yet to address the negative connotation associated with mental health care. Mullen said, "I'm at a point where I believe we have to give a (mental health) screening to everybody to help remove the stigma of raising your hand."

There currently are no estimates regarding the potential cost of Mullen's proposal or a start date. A shortage of available mental health professionals could hinder adoption of the proposal, although the military has increased signing and retention bonuses in recent years to address the issue. Another concern is that troops often know how to evade certain health questions to avoid treatment.

According to a RAND study, one in five combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD or depression. RAND estimates that 300,000 veterans have been affected and that it may cost more than $6.2 billion to treat them. The study also showed rates of PTSD and depression were highest among soldiers and Marines (Vanden Brook, USA Today, 10/13).

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