Congress Moves on Mental Health Care for Troops and Veterans

Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, commended the Senate for passing a critical mental health screening program as part of the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The new program would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct confidential face-to-face mental health screenings by a certified professional for every servicemember returning from combat. 

“For far too long, the military has deferred to an ineffective paperwork system to address the invisible wounds of men and women coming home. It’s no wonder that less than half of those with a mental health injury are getting treatment.” said IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. “Like any battle, our military must be properly equipped to defeat the enemy. Today, we are one step closer to accomplishing this mission. Mandatory mental health screenings by a certified professional has been a top priority for IAVA for many years.  Today’s action will go a long way towards reducing stigma and getting our heroes the help they need.”

The DOD currently relies on an inadequate, antiquated system of paperwork to conduct mental health evaluations. These forms are not necessarily reviewed by qualified health professionals, there are serious disincentives for troops to fill them out accurately, and the system was only universally implemented years after the current conflicts began.  Under the new provision, the DOD will be required to conduct service members’ screenings in a private, clinical setting with health professionals certified to identify mental health injuries.

Rieckhoff added, “For years, IAVA has led the fight for improved mental health care for troops and veterans. We thank Senators Baucus and Kennedy for their early leadership on this issue, and look forward to working with both chambers of Congress to ensure this provision reaches the President’s desk before the August recess. The health of our troops is not something that should wait.” 

To learn more about the U.S. military’s current mental health screening program and IAVA’s mental health policy recommendations, read IAVA’s 2009 Issue Report: Invisible Wounds: Psychological and Neurological Injuries Confront a New Generation of Veterans [1].