Talking Care of Our Veteran's Mental Health

The Institute of Medicine Report (IOM) that was requested by Congress on March 26 recommends that the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Veterans Administration (VA) actively work to counter negative connotations surrounding treatment for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders.

The report also talks about the special needs of a voluntary force that has had multiple deployments and has spent very little time in rest and recuperation (R&R).  There are some excellent evidence based treatment options for our returning soldiers.

Unfortunately, we have many barriers to treatment for our troops as they return home. There is stigma associated with asking for help with post traumatic stress (PTSD).  Military men and women are taught to fight and sometimes kill the enemy. They are required to do this under adverse conditions with little or no support from home. They endure a mindset that places them in a constant state of readiness and then they are returned home to resume a “normal “life.

We have not done a very good job of taking care of our heroes. I feel like we owe a debt to the men and women of our country who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. This IOM report recommends using all the resources our country has at its disposal to provide ongoing care and treatment. I agree.
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2013/Returning-Home-from-Iraq-and-Afghanistan.aspx