Posted on 05/14/2006 10:48:39 AM PDT by BellStar
Failure to screen U.S. troops for mental health problems may be the cause of an increasing suicide rate among soldiers serving in Iraq, a report says.
According to an investigation by the Hartford (Conn.) Courant, fewer than one in 300 service members see a mental health professional before shipping out, despite a congressional order that all deploying troops by screened, the newspaper reported Sunday.
The report uncovered evidence of soldiers suffering post-traumatic stress syndrome being sent back to the war zone and unstable troops being kept on the front lines while taking potent anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs.
In addition, the Courant said the failure to follow the congressional directive for pre-screening may be responsible for an all-time high suicide rate in Iraq last year, when 22 soldiers killed themselves, accounting for one in five of all non-combat Army deaths.
Military experts and advocates point to recruiting shortfalls and intense wartime pressure to maintain troop levels as reasons more service members with psychiatric problems are being deployed to the war zone and kept there.
Amen!
I only hope someone sees fit to post this piece of trash another dozen times today.
This article smells of journo-activism. It's thin on facts and long on emotion.
This is a total lie. Are we to assume that reporters get access to troops' medical records? I think not. No way, no how, not in this lifetime do they have access.
***The article postulates that "most troops aren't screened prior to being deployed." If that is so, how in HELL can the media make the claim that "they are mentally ill"? Is the media screening the troops? I mean, this is so damn ludicrous.
When I was on active duty, there was a comparable rate of suicide between troops and the civilian public at large in the same age groups. Suicide itself cuts across every age, both sexes, every ethnic group and economic group. The lamestream media is making assertions that are simply not true. The suicide rate in the entire military is essentially the same as it's been forever. It happens, but it does not mean it's Bush's fault or Rummy's fault.
This is another shameful attempt to bring discredit upon the troops, the military and of course, Rummy, and of course, President Bush. I'm not buying it, it's the nutbag story of the week.
Pretty much the whole counrty of Iraq is dangerous if you are a US soldier. I assume thats what they mean.
Damn, we better get those draft rolls coming in quick. Between the injured, PTSD, and homesick soliders, the Iraqi freedom fighters dont have enough targets.
Smells like fetid BULLSHIT to me.
More like another military loathing liberal who is using a term that he/she/it does not truly comprehend, and its use in this context is not appropriate, IMO.
Another example of a marginally educated liberal journalist, IMO.
True. Although to be fair the military did a really good job at embedding journalists with the troops, and it made for good ties on both sides.
Darn, where is Patton when we need him?
I read that most of the branches of the service met their recent recruiting goals - or exceeded them - except for the regular Army (IIRC). This article looks like BS to me.
They happen in peace or war time military. We had a guy jump off ship into the bay in 78 coming home from a MED Cruise. If they are passing out the antidepressants they should be ordered to stop. To some persons it would be like giving them LSD and I'm not talking B.S. on this either. You don't want a guy in combat tripping on a Serotonin migration. Ones who are in front lines exposed to louder fire fight would be more likely to have Antidepressant related adverse reactions as they more likely suffer sensory damage due to the nature of the job.
But I know from seeing a shipmate crack up {likely Bipolar} the military has for years been apathetic on dealing with mental problems. They see them only as discipline problems and use the UCMJ rather than medical treatment.
How many journalist see a shrink before getting in front of keyboard?
Sounds to me like they might be experiencing Pre Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I hear it can really be a bitch.
Another example of a marginally educated liberal journalist, IMO.
&&
Yup!
Although to be fair the military did a really good job at embedding journalists with the troops, and it made for good ties on both sides.
###
Do you really think so? I don't see much evidence of an advantage for US policy based on what I see on cable news.
How many journalist see a shrink before getting in front of keyboard?
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Great comment, as usual!
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