Failing Veterans

What Others Say: Failing veterans
Those who served deserve better
Jul 20, 2012
This editorial appeared July 19 in the Pensacola News Journal.

A recent report shows we are failing our veterans, especially those returning from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Specifically, the Institute of Medicine recommended that soldiers returning from war be screened for post-traumatic stress disorder at least once a year. Officials there also said more research is needed to see if the treatment for the disorder is working.

An Associated Press story said it’s estimated that as many as 20 percent of the people deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have symptoms of PTSD. That could be more than 500,000 of the 2.6 million deployed. Equally troubling is the statistic that only about half of those diagnosed with PTSD seek treatment. The others don’t pursue treatment because they fear it could jeopardize their careers.

Clearly more needs to be done for these young people who have served bravely, many in fierce combat where they have killed the enemy or where they have seen their comrades wounded, maimed or killed. Those types of traumatic events can trigger PTSD.

The report also suggested treatment isn’t reaching those who need it most, or if it’s working at all.
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