Military mental health services seen lacking|Health|Reuters.com
"NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The psychological needs of U.S. military personnel and their families are straining the current mental health services of the military, concludes an American Psychological Association (APA) Task Force charged with looking into the issue"
Many military families are going without needed mental health services because of the limited availability of such care, according to Palomares, a psychologist on the APA staff and a Task Force member, who has served active duty in the Air Force and Army National Guard.
I really think the entire military population and their families should undertake mental health assessments and necessary treatments as often as other families use basic medical treatment. I can't think of a more stressful environment for soldiers or their families, especially in a time of war. This is an issue an aggressive congressional candidate could use to really benefit their consituents, and show their care and concern.
4 comments:
I read a similar article today in our local paper. It seems that all the service to take care of our kids after they come are lacking.
Not only that, but can you imagine the stress on wives and kids if they have a loved on in combat? It's a shame they don't see the importance here.
I use the military mental health system... Most dependents get referred off base here, but I had a bit of a crisis, and they got me into life skills. Took me many years and a few bases but I finally found an awesome PDoc.
Yes there are bad docs everywhere, but we seem to have a slightly above average of asshats within Merit Behavioral (our MH plan).
The biggest problem in the military health system is the PCMs and Gen Physicians handing out anti depressants without proper evaluation of mental health. There just aren't enough PDocs, nor enough patients that know they should be getting psychiatric care from a psychiatrist. It is no more evident than in a military dependent family.
MsFreud - great input. Thanks for commenting! And thanks to your husband for his service.
Post a Comment