Army seeks better mental health coordination
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. (AP) - Army leadership is looking to improve coordination among its mental health programs and other soldier-resilience efforts, acknowledging Monday that a patchwork system of tools is often confusing for both commanders and soldiers.
Army Secretary John McHugh said he has asked Army officials to finish a plan for an overhaul in the next couple weeks. He hopes to improve processing times in the disability evaluation system, integrate "resilience" programs into the day-to-day training of soldiers and has the goal of lowering the incidence of suicide, sexual assault and substance abuse among soldiers.
He said there are already a variety of programs available to help soldiers. But he said there is widespread confusion about the available tools, so commanders are unaware of the benefits and programs. That means soldiers aren't getting matched up with the appropriate opportunities.
"Interventions are not coming as early as we would like to see them," McHugh said. He also said the Army needs to work on eliminating the stigma associated with seeking help and wants soldiers to be able to encourage each other to seek aid during times of trouble.
McHugh's effort, which is the product of a yearlong review of the Army's mental health system, was announced during his visit to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the home base of Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, who faces 16 counts of premeditated murder after prosecutors say he slipped away from his base in southern Afghanistan to kill civilians in two nearby villages.
While McHugh talked about his goals for remedying troubles in the mental health system, he declined to disclose the results of the yearlong investigation. He said the assessment came up with a variety of findings and recommendations but said he wasn't ready to discuss the details publicly.
The system-wide review had sought to determine whether psychiatrists overturned diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder to save money.
Washington Sen. Patty Murray, who had pressed for the broad review of mental health matters, said she would like to see the Army study expanded to all branches of the military to ensure that personnel aren't slipping through the cracks.
"We cannot allow those who have served or their loved ones to be dragged through a system that leaves them with more questions than answers," Murray said in a statement. "We must provide a uniform approach to dealing with the lasting mental wounds of war if we are going to help stem the tide of military suicide and ensure that we are easing the transition home for those who serve."
Army Secretary John McHugh said he has asked Army officials to finish a plan for an overhaul in the next couple weeks. He hopes to improve processing times in the disability evaluation system, integrate "resilience" programs into the day-to-day training of soldiers and has the goal of lowering the incidence of suicide, sexual assault and substance abuse among soldiers.
He said there are already a variety of programs available to help soldiers. But he said there is widespread confusion about the available tools, so commanders are unaware of the benefits and programs. That means soldiers aren't getting matched up with the appropriate opportunities.
"Interventions are not coming as early as we would like to see them," McHugh said. He also said the Army needs to work on eliminating the stigma associated with seeking help and wants soldiers to be able to encourage each other to seek aid during times of trouble.
McHugh's effort, which is the product of a yearlong review of the Army's mental health system, was announced during his visit to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the home base of Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, who faces 16 counts of premeditated murder after prosecutors say he slipped away from his base in southern Afghanistan to kill civilians in two nearby villages.
While McHugh talked about his goals for remedying troubles in the mental health system, he declined to disclose the results of the yearlong investigation. He said the assessment came up with a variety of findings and recommendations but said he wasn't ready to discuss the details publicly.
The system-wide review had sought to determine whether psychiatrists overturned diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder to save money.
Washington Sen. Patty Murray, who had pressed for the broad review of mental health matters, said she would like to see the Army study expanded to all branches of the military to ensure that personnel aren't slipping through the cracks.
"We cannot allow those who have served or their loved ones to be dragged through a system that leaves them with more questions than answers," Murray said in a statement. "We must provide a uniform approach to dealing with the lasting mental wounds of war if we are going to help stem the tide of military suicide and ensure that we are easing the transition home for those who serve."
The last time Vets saw any real bennies from our government came at the end of WW2 since then its been a down hill slide and only getting worse year after year, don't believe me ask any vet after 1950...
They certainly need to do something, the suicide rate in the Army is out of control.Â
these people need our help! they've been lied to, used more then their share, and when they do get home, get nothing but a fast shuffle . someone help this country! and close all the law schools! great improvment!!
"The system-wide review had sought to determine whether psychiatrists overturned diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder to save money."
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Yes, those b//tarrdz in the private insurance sector sure know how to stick it to their customers! Why, I bet as soon as their patients get CANCER, they re-diagnose it as the flu so those fat cat CEO's can get a $100,000,000 compensation package.. We need  to... wait... hold on..  I am SOOO sorry. It's the Federal Government that is denying our solders their rightful treatments. So my bad. I went on a little rant there for no good reason.
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I fail to see how any Government run health care system could result in anything less than top-notch service. This is simply baffling. How in the WORLD could this happen? Â
If only they had a way to simply "print" more money, then their problem would be solved.
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Please, President Obama, please print some more money for these soldiers so they don't die of cancer. Maybe you can get a little kid to accompany you ( make SURE you tell the press, I know how you don't like the limelight) to the US Mint while you roll off a couple thousand sheets of Uncle Ben's,no?
Your friend, G. Mylon
That pic shows the problem. Three over-paid cronies who could give a rats you know what. It's just camera time. Gubment being gubment.
LMAO As if!! The Military does NOT care about it's troops! Our GOVERNMENT does not care!! Our troops, according to our government, are the enemy. Ask Dept Homeland Security! This is a move about "Gun Control", another word for outlawing the Rights and FREEDOM that these Men and Women served to protect. Labeling every veteran they can get their hands on as an "Invalid PTSD Psycho" (No, we aren't but watch how Government and Media spins us) and therefore CAN NOT own a firearm. Next it will be They can not speak out about the things they've seen government do. With all this crap on the news, Government and Media are already painting us as all psychotic murderers.Â
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No... I don't trust my government to do a damn thing that is right. When they stop trying to demean and demonize it's own Citizens, maybe I'll believe the things they say. Until then, this is just another step toward a complete Dictatorship.Â
@PhunkyMunky blah blah who cares what you think key board commando. Go back to playing Call of Duty as it's about the closet thing to the military you'll ever do.
The problem is too great for the ARMY or government for that matter to fix although government funds are necessary to make right what war mongering has made wrong.
I hope they can get it together on this one. We need to give our troops all the help they require in this area and then some.