Gates And Shinseki Speak Out Against Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

John DuBois, University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Veterans Affairs Secretary Erik Shinseki spoke out Monday on the importance of treatment and prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] among U.S. servicemen and women.

“Beyond waging the wars we are in, treatment of our wounded, their continuing care and eventual re-integration into every day life is my highest priority. I consider this a solemn pact between those who have risked and suffered and the nation that owes them its eternal gratitude,” said Gates during a mental health summit in Washington, D.C.

“Invisible wounds are as debilitating as the physical trauma sustained on those battlefields,” added Shinseki. “Warriors suffer emotional injuries just as they do physical ones.”