The Increased Mental Health Needs of Our Returning Soldiers and Veterans

by Graciela Flores Napolitano

The Increased Mental Health Needs of Our Returning Soldiers and Veterans

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HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Saturday, October 9, 2004

Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, October 3 through October 9 is Mental Illness Awareness Week. During this week, it is critical that Members of Congress and the American public recognize the increased mental health needs of our returning soldiers and veterans.

As co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, I rise today to express my strong support for expansion of the mental health benefits offered to our veterans and the men and women currently serving in our armed services. Those who have witnessed the atrocities of war must have professional assistance to deal with the traumatic memories that they are going to live with for the rest of their lives. These traumatic memories can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, a dangerous biological condition affecting a soldier's body, mind, and certainly family. Unfortunately, soldiers returning home often do not receive the comprehensive care they need. Some even sign their rights-to-service away.

Many of the soldiers who served in recent wars in the Middle East have a desperate need for mental health services. Here are some alarming statistics. Out of 15,000 veterans returning from the Middle East who have utilized VA healthcare services, 12 percent presented symptoms related to psychological trauma. It is estimated that more than 25 percent of troops returning from Iraq are being examined for mental health concerns. These are startling statistics and dramatically demonstrate the need for more mental health services.

We must concern ourselves that many soldiers find it difficult to obtain treatment or fail to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental illness due to a lack of sensitivity. Just look at our jails and our homeless population. Our communities and our social service system are affected, yet we refuse to admit a problem exists.

I am also deeply troubled and concerned, as are many women Members of Congress, with our returning women soldiers who may have been exposed to the traumatic experience of sexual assault. For example, a horrendous 8 percent of female Gulf War Veterans experienced an attempted or completed sexual assault during deployment. The PTSD from sexual assault is just as harmful as combat related PTSD. This must cease immediately.

In the past three decades, the Veterans' Administration has taken great strides toward better mental care services for men and women, and there is now a better understanding of PTSD because of research conducted through the VA health system. More remains to be done. Twenty-five years ago, the VA offered no PTSD services, no Vet Centers, no homeless services. Today these services exist though limited. However, many veterans will not benefit from these services because of a lack of access. There are just not enough Vet Centers, and the need for services will only continue to grow as a result of U.S. involvement throughout the world.

Additional funding for the VA health system must be appropriated to improve access to care. The President's proposal of funding increase of only 2 percent for the VA health system does not even cover increases in cost of living and is insufficient even to maintain the inadequate current level services. The demand on PTSD services has not kept up with the increase need of services. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have greatly increased the need for these vital services. Some veterans who need weekly or biweekly follow-up appointments for therapy are forced to wait weeks, and in many cases even months. This is unconscionable. The VA does not have enough mental health professionals due in part to lack of funding, and the President's low funding proposal will exacerbate this problem. Our returning soldiers and veterans deserve better from their government. They have earned what was promised them.

The Bush administration has repeatedly emphasized that the war in Iraq is not another Vietnam. However, by not providing veterans the necessary mental health resources, we can assure the same high rates of suicide that existed among Vietnam veterans. As we conclude our recognition of mental illness awareness this week, we will continue our fight to ensure that our veterans and service personnel will be able to receive the mental health services they deserve. Their sacrifice for our beloved country paid for them.