House Armed Services Committee hearing on Military Mental Health

At the House Armed Services Committee Military Personnel Subcommittee hearing “Mental Health Overview,” Assistant Defense Secretary for Health Affairs Ward Casscells said that hopefully the program they have developed will start at the beginning of the soldier’s career, and will continue through their career, beginning with an origin screening. Not everyone needs to be a war-fighter, Casscells said. Early detection of mental problems is important. They’re not sure exactly what sort of treatment works, Casscells said, but they are making major progress. Treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society is important.

Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker said the global war on terror has increased stress on soldiers and their families. If Post Traumatic Stress is not identified and addressed promptly, it can lead to more therapy resistant issues, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Schoomaker said, and this is evidenced by looking at veterans from Vietnam. A new training program for soldiers, “Battlemind,” is preparing soldiers better for the battlefield.

Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam Robinson said the length of deployments are causing high levels of stress. Also referencing Vietnam Veterans, Robinson said that no treatments cause significant issues. A big issue in dealing with mental health issues, he said, is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and therefore encourage more soldiers to come forward and get the help they need. They are expanding training for personnel, and said that just as you train your body with physical exercise, you can train your mind.