Bill seeks more counseling to prevent PTSD

Bill seeks more counseling to prevent PTSD

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jun 17, 2008 5:42:20 EDT

Fort Carson, Colo., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., would become test beds for predeployment counseling programs aimed at reducing the risk of combat stress under legislation sponsored by two Colorado lawmakers.

Reps. Mark Udall and John Salazar, both Democrats, are urging the creation of pilot programs at the two Army bases to try to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder in combat troops, and to provide early detection and treatment for PTSD when it happens.

“Providing prompt and effective treatment to our returning troops can help prevent many of the negative effects related to PTSD and depression,” Udall said. “It is the least we can do to repay them for the sacrifices they have made.”

The bill they introduced June 12, HR 6268, also gives active-duty service members access to readjustment and mental health counseling from veterans centers, provide grants for nonprofit groups who provide counseling services for the survivors of service members or veterans, extends military survivor benefits to families of service members who commit suicide after a history of combat-related health problems, and creates a new scholarship program to train behavioral health specialists about mental health treatment for service members and veterans.

The wide swath of initiatives complicates passage. The bill was referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, but its provisions fall under the jurisdiction of two other panels — the Armed Services Committee that is responsible for military benefits, and the Ways and Means Committee that oversees grants for nonprofit groups.
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