DoD: 8 months to reform mental health care

[unhappycamper]

DoD: 8 months to reform mental health care
By Gregg Zoroya - USA Today
Posted : Thursday Sep 27, 2007 6:38:51 EDT

The Pentagon said it would take at least eight months to complete major improvements to its mental health program, which treats troops with post-traumatic stress disorder and other conditions.

The military made the announcement this week in response to a task force report issued in June that found mental health care for the troops and their families “woefully inadequate.”

The Pentagon said that key issues such as hiring more mental health caregivers and increasing coverage under the military’s health care system, could not be met until May of next year or later.

The Army announced in June it would hire 200 civilian psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and social workers. It later raised that to 265, a 23 percent increase in those job categories for the Army. By last week, the Army had filled 40 percent of the jobs.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., who pushed for the task force, applauded the Pentagon’s plan but called for quicker action.

The shortage in Army uniformed therapists is having an impact on the Iraq war, where Navy and Air Force counselors are helping the Army treat soldiers. The number of mental health providers has not kept pace with the additional 30,000 U.S. troops sent to Iraq this year, according to Army statistics provided to USA Today. In addition, the Army says some mental health counselors are burned out by their war experience.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/09/gns_mentalhealth_070927/

[babylonsister]

1. And after 8 months, when reforms aren't accomplished? Let me guess,

they'll extend that goal. But baby steps in the right direction are better than nothing.

[unhappycamper]

2. I'm guessing it will be at least two Friedman units before care starts getting

to those in need.

[babylonsister]

3. Sigh. OT, but did you see these?

The brass isn't happy, it seems. I hope more speak up!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1919424&mesg_id=1919424

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1912215

[unhappycamper]

4. Yes, I did see those.

The trick is getting someone to listen, which ain't gonna happen as long as our 'representatives' refuse to turn off the money spigot.

[babylonsister]

5. Yup. And not funding this mess would be so easy to explain; I think

the Dems have a hard time framing anything. Why not drill into everyone's heads they'd shut off funds to get the soldiers home? What's so hard about that (except it would mess with Biden's campaign; he's determined to fund and take credit for MRAPs)?