Posted on 03/24/2004 3:22:25 PM PST by chance33_98
UPDATE: Army Releases Mental Health Advisory Team Report on Operation Iraqi Freedom
3/24/2004 5:21:00 PM
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To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor and Defense Reporter
Contact: U.S. Army Public Affairs, 703-697-7550
News Advisory:
UPDATE.
(Editors: Please note new time and location.)
WHAT: At the request of the Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force-7, U.S. Central Command, the Army Surgeon General established and dispatched the Mental Health Advisory Team to assess and provide recommendations regarding OIF-related mental health services, soldier access to those services in theater and after evacuation, and effective suicide prevention measures for soldiers in active combat.
The MHAT deployed to Kuwait and Iraq from Aug. 27 through Oct. 7, 2003. From Oct. 12 through 18, the team also assessed mental health services provided to Soldiers evacuated for mental health reasons to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and Fort Stewart, Ga.
The MHAT consisted of 12 senior officers and non-commissioned officers representing U.S. Army Medical Command and the Army G-1. Professions represented include Army psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, an occupational therapist, a psychiatric nurse, a chaplain and a human resource officer.
Based on the findings of the MHAT report, the Army Surgeon General and the OIF medical and line commands are making improvements in theater behavioral health treatment and medical doctrine.
WHO:
-- Col. Virgil Patterson, D.S.W., MHAT Team chief and Social Work consultant to the Army Surgeon General
-- Col. Bruce Crow, Psy.D., chief psychologist, Madigan Army Medical Center
-- Lt. Col. Jerry Swanner, Army Suicide Prevention Program manager
WHEN: 3 to 4 p.m., March 25, 2004
WHERE: Pentagon, Army Public Affairs conference room (room 1E462)
CONTACT: Media without a Pentagon Access Badge who are interested in covering the roundtable on the Mental Health Advisory Team report should meet at the Pentagon Metro Entrance between 2:15 and 2:30. Media interested in attending this briefing, please RSVP to 703-697-7550 or 703-692-2000 (opt number 3) for advanced coordination. The roundtable is on the record. Tape recorders may be used; however, no cameras will be permitted.
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