Fort Carson looks at plans for PTSD and TBI

When Graham took over Fort Carson, I had high hopes, but since that day there have been too many reports of PTSD wounded being treated like, well, crap. I really hope he finally gets it and what he had to say about taking care of PTSD wounded is not just more empty words.

JANUARY 29, 2009

Fort Carson's top commander talks about mental-health care, classrooms and more
In general's terms

by Anthony Lane

The Army and its Mountain Post were taking heat in the form of allegations from combat veterans, who said they were being punished, ignored or even discharged as they struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological traumas. The Army soon calmed that furor, largely thanks to Fort Carson rolling out the promise of enhanced screening to identify soldiers with PTSD symptoms.

Another issue, however, has flared: In 2008, a string of local homicides and other violence tied to combat veterans from a single 4th Infantry Division brigade made national news. Then-U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, now secretary of the Interior, called for a task force to seek explanations for the violence.

It's been rough publicity for a post that's only getting bigger in this community, the result of an Army realignment plan announced in 2005. The 4th ID, which had been based at Fort Carson from 1970 to 1995 before moving to Fort Hood, Texas, is bringing thousands of soldiers and their families back to Colorado Springs and the region.

Three of the 4th ID's brigades are already here. The final brigade and division headquarters will return from Iraq to Texas in coming weeks, then make the move to Fort Carson as schools let out and through the coming summer. Combined with an additional aviation unit, Fort Carson should see 5,500 new soldiers by fall. Counting spouses and children, that should add up to about 10,000 new residents for Colorado Springs and the region this year.

Beyond that influx, the Bush administration's "Grow the Army" plan calls for other additions, including a fifth brigade for the 4th ID, which will bring 3,400 more soldiers to the post by 2011. All told, Fort Carson, which now has about 18,000 soldiers, should grow to nearly 30,000 by 2013, with as many as 45,000 of their family members living in the area.

Indy: How will you handle the increased demand for medical care that Fort Carson growth will bring?

MG: We're doing a few things. One, we're expanding our hospital. Plus, we're also renovating our emergency services area in the hospital to make it more modern and increase its capacity. We also are working on a TBI [traumatic brain injury] clinic. We're continuing to work PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], behavioral health and TBI very closely.

Indy: Has the approach changed for soldiers getting mental health care?

MG: We want to make sure soldiers know it's a sign of strength, not weakness, to come forward and get help. We have seen that our medical professionals can give them help, but we've got to get them to come forward. That's why you have an increased number of soldiers that we're showing to have PTSD. The earlier they come forward, the sooner the medical professionals can start helping them get better. click link for more