Mental war wounds need extended care

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 12, 2012

~~<p>As the U.S. military draws down troops in Afghanistan on this Veterans Day, more attention has rightly begun to focus on the mental health conditions of our men and women in uniform. By some estimates, one in five of those veterans returning home experience post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression. Counseling and mental health care systems now under way in the military are helping, but the community at large also must respond when needed as soldiers return to civilian life.</p>
<p>In realization of the growing stresses of battle fatigue, the Army assigned "stand down" or pause in activities at bases in Hawaii and worldwide one day in September for training to cope with the reality of soldiers susceptible to suicide. The suicide prevention effort was "to focus on promoting good health, teammate involvement, risk reduction and resilience training."</p>
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As the U.S. military draws down troops in Afghanistan on this Veterans Day, more attention has rightly begun to focus on the mental health conditions of our men and women in uniform. By some estimates, one in five of those veterans returning home experience post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression. Counseling and mental health care systems now under way in the military are helping, but the community at large also must respond when needed as soldiers return to civilian life.

In realization of the growing stresses of battle fatigue, the Army assigned "stand down" or pause in activities at bases in Hawaii and worldwide one day in September for training to cope with the reality of soldiers susceptible to suicide. The suicide prevention effort was "to focus on promoting good health, teammate involvement, risk reduction and resilience training." Login for more...