Gazette Opinion: U.S. must battle against stigma of mental war wounds

[maddezmom]

Gazette Opinion: U.S. must battle against stigma of mental war wounds

If the Department of Defense were to label right-arm injuries suffered in combat as "pre-existing" medical conditions that don't qualify for government-paid treatment, Americans would be outraged. If Pentagon policy discouraged military members from disclosing to medical professionals that they had asthma, the public would be appalled and soldiers' health would be at risk.

Yet those absurd scenarios are similar to what thousands of U.S. military members and veterans have experienced in dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. Although this disorder is the result of combat duty, many have been diagnosed by the military system with "personality disorder," a condition that would predate their military service and not be eligible for Veterans Administration care. Military culture and bureaucracy have penalized members identified as having had a mental illness. "Don't tell, suffer alone" is the dangerous message that has been given.

Discrimination must end

This discrimination against military members with PTSD must end. A third of U.S. troops who served in Iraq or Afghanistan come home with traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental-health problems, according to a Rand Corp. study. That's hundreds of thousands of Americans who need timely treatment and deserve the respect of the nation they have served.

Montanans can be proud that our National Guard has become a leader in recognizing the vital importance of diagnosing PTSD and reaching out to all returning Guardsmen to offer more thorough education, screening and treatment. Montana standards were raised in response to the tragic death of a Helena Guardsman who served in combat, returned home with classic PTSD symptoms but didn't get needed treatment, and died by suicide.

more:http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/05/18/opinion/gazette/20-gazetteopinion.txt