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Title: 300,000 vets have mental problem, 320,000 had brain injuries
Source:
Raw Story from AP
URL Source: http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochil ... ental_problem_32_04172008.html
Published: Apr 17, 2008
Author: PAULINE JELINEK
Post Date: 2008-04-17 11:55:00 by robin
Keywords: None
Views: 2518
Comments: 7
Study: 300,000 US troops from Iraq, Afghanistan have mental problems, 320,000 brain injuries Some 300,000 U.S. troops are suffering from major depression or post traumatic stress from serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 320,000 received brain injuries, a new study estimates. Only about half have sought treatment, said the study released Thursday by the RAND Corporation. "There is a major health crisis facing those men and women who have served our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Terri Tanielian, the project's co-leader and a researcher at the nonprofit RAND. "Unless they receive appropriate and effective care for these mental health conditions, there will be long-term consequences for them and for the nation," she said in an interview with The Associated Press. The 500-page study is the first large-scale, private assessment of its kind — including a survey of 1,965 service members across the country, from all branches of the armed forces and including those still in the military as well veterans who have left the services. Its results appear consistent with a number of mental health reports from within the government, though the Defense Department has not released the number of people it has diagnosed or who are being treated for mental problems. The Department of Veterans Affairs said this month that its records show about 120,000 who served in the two wars and are no longer in the military have been diagnosed with mental health problems. Of the 120,000, approximately 60,000 are suffering from PTSD, the VA said. Veterans Affairs is responsible for care of service members after they have left the service, while the Defense Department covers active duty and reservist needs. The lack of information from the Pentagon was one motivation for the RAND study, Tanielian said. The most prominent and detailed military study on mental health that is released is the Army's survey of soldiers at the warfront. Officials said last month that it's most recent one, done last fall, found 18.2 percent of soldiers suffered a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or acute stress in 2007 compared with 20.5 percent the previous year. The Rand study, completed in January, put the percentage of PTSD and depression at 18.5 percent, calculating that approximately 300,000 current and former service members were suffering from those problems at the time of its survey, which was completed in January. The figure is based on Pentagon data showing over 1.6 million military personnel have deployed to the conflicts since the war in Afghanistan began in late 2001. RAND researchers also found: _About 19 percent — or some 320,000 services members — reported that they experienced a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed. In wars where blasts from roadside bombs are prevalent, the injuries can range from mild concussions to severe head wounds. _About 7 percent reported both a probable brain injury and current PTSD or major depression. _Only 43 percent reported ever being evaluated by a physician for their head injuries. _Only 53 percent of service members with PTSD or depression sought help over the past year. _They gave various reasons for not getting help, including that they worried about the side effects of medication; believe family and friends could help them with the problem, or that they feared seeking care might damage their careers. _Rates of PTSD and major depression were highest among women and reservists. The report is titled "Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery." It was sponsored by a grant from the California Community Foundation and done by 25 researchers from RAND Health and the RAND National Security Research Division, which also has done does work under contracts with the Pentagon and other defense agencies as well as allied foreign governments and foundations. ___ On the Net: RAND Corporation: http://www.rand.org Army studies: http://www.armymedicine.army.mil Source: AP News
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#1. To: robin (#0)
Depleted Uranium is WMD by reposted Thursday Aug 24th, 2006 11:08 AM by Leuren Moret Depleted Uranium is WMD At State Level, More Attempts to Limit Guns Much of the proposed legislation — some 38 states are considering gun-related bills — focuses on cutting off gun access to convicted criminals and the mentally ill and on improving methods to trace guns used in crimes.
'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz
Unreal. They all trained and served this nation with firearms, but now they are unfit? By labeling them this way they cannot protect and defend themselves? I wonder if this is a way to disarm those who would protect their fellow Americans against the Jack Booted Thugs.
'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz
Check out this story.......... http://www.joshuakors.com/military.htm
Resist!
excellent link, thank you
'Individuals should not take responsibility for their own defense. That’s what the police are for. ... If I oppose individuals defending themselves, I have to support police defending them. I have to support a police state.”' Alan Dershowitz
#2. To: robin (#0)
Depleted Uranium is WMD
by Leuren Moret. My grandfather, U.S. Army Col. Edwin Joseph McAllister, was born in Battle Creek ... Leuren Moret is an international radiation specialist, ...
www.commondreams.org/views05/0809-33.htm - 15k -
#3. To: robin (#0)
Headline could also read "300,000 vets have mental problem unable to buy firearms"
#4. To: TwentyTwelve, *Depleted Uranium* (#2)
#5. To: robnoel (#3)
(Edited)
#6. To: robin (#0)
300,000 vets have mental problem, 320,000 had brain injuries
#7. To: WhiteGuy, *Jack-Booted Thugs* (#6)
www.joshuakors.com/military.htm
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