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VA'S MENTAL HEALTH CASELOAD SURGES -- More than
one-third of
veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
seeking medical treatment report
symptoms of stress or other mental disorders, a
tenfold increase in 18
months. The dramatic jump in cases has
triggered concern that the
VA may not be able to meet the demand for care.
In context, this is a devastating story.
Just a few days ago we learned about the
long-term costs of mental health care and disability claims for our
troops...that story here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/
old%20newsflashes%20OCT%2006/newsflash10-11-2006-10.htm
And, last month, the GAO reported that
the VA is NOT spending all of the funding it receives for mental health
care...that story here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%
20newsflashes%20SEP%2006/newsflash09-29-2006-1.htm
To say that the VA's mental health
programs are in crisis is an understatement!
Today's story here...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/12/AR2006101201613.html
Story below:
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VA's Mental Health Caseload Surges
By Lolita C. Baldor
Associated Press
More than one-third of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars seeking
medical treatment from the Veterans Health Administration report
symptoms of stress or other mental disorders -- a tenfold increase in 18
months, according to an agency study.
The dramatic jump in cases -- coming as more troops face multiple tours
in Iraq and Afghanistan -- has triggered concern among some veterans
groups that the agency may not be able to meet the demand for care.
Veterans and Defense Department officials said the increase in soldiers
complaining of stress or symptoms of mental disorder may suggest that
efforts to reduce the stigma of such problems are working and that
commanders and medical personnel are more adept at recognizing symptoms.
"It's definitely better than it was in past generations," said Paul
Rieckhoff, executive director of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America.
Officials of the Department of Veterans Affairs say they have increased
funding for mental health services, have hired at least 100 more
counselors and are not overwhelmed by the rising demands. "We're not
aware that people are having trouble getting services from us in any
consistent way or pattern," said Michael J. Kussman, acting
undersecretary for health and top doctor at the VA.
Nearly 64,000 of the more than 184,000 veterans of the Iraq and
Afghanistan wars who have sought VA health care were found to exhibit
potential symptoms of post-traumatic stress, drug abuse or other mental
disorders as of the end of June, according to the latest report by the
Veterans Health Administration. Of those, close to 30,000 had possible
post-traumatic stress disorder, said the report, which was completed in
August and recently obtained by the Associated Press.
Kussman said the number of troops reporting symptoms of stress probably
represents a "gross overestimation" of those actually suffering from
mental health disorders. Most of the troops who return from Iraq have
"normal reactions to abnormal situations," such as flashbacks or trouble
sleeping, Kussman said.
The VA, he said, has designated $300 million for post-traumatic stress
disorders for 2005-06, and is seeking another $300 million for 2007.
Veterans groups don't have data on the number of veterans encountering
problems with the VA, but they said veterans are reporting long delays
for appointments at the agency's medical centers.
One soldier in Virginia Beach, who said he was having a hard time
sleeping after returning from Iraq was told he would have to wait 2 1/2
months for an appointment at the VA facility, Rieckhoff said.
Rieckhoff said the Buffalo veterans medical center gave his organization
a "wish list" of needed supplies and other expenses, including
wheelchairs, rehabilitation equipment and medical monitors.
The Defense Department has made mental health assessments and education
programs mandatory for active-duty service members returning from war.
Several dozen combat stress teams are working with military units to
prevent and identify stress or other mental health concerns. The
department has also provided self-assessment screening on the Internet
so military members can evaluate their symptoms.
Joyce Adkins, the Pentagon's director of stress management programs,
said the number of service members reporting mental health problems or
symptoms has increased slightly.
"We've done a lot of education for service members at multiple times, to
help them understand . . . the common problems associated with
deployment, the symptoms they might experience and what that might
mean," she said.
---------------
Larry Scott
