Will There Ever Be Enough Help?

In a recent article by Seth Borenstein of the Associated Press, attention is drawn to the fact that returning Iraq War veterans are not getting needed mental health services because the military’s system is overwhelmed and understaffed. A task force of psychologists made this finding in their 67-page report released by the American Psychological Association.

Does this surprise anyone? In my own private practice, several Vietnam veterans recently contacted me when they were advised by the local VA Hospital that they would have to wait six to nine months for a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) evaluation for treatment due to the large number of Iraq War veterans seeking treatment.

In my opinion, it shouldn’t matter what war you fought in.  If you need help, you need it now; not in six or nine months down the road. The government and the VA need to recognize that when they put people in harm’s way, they need to have sufficient funds and support to take care of the soldier’s needs, including psychological/mental health services. The VA’s budget has been significantly cut, which means fewer services to our veterans in need.

Borenstein goes on television saying that only 10 to 20 percent of the military’s mental health experts are trained to help those with PTSD, “I know guys that are waiting for appointments. I know guys who are dealing with doctors who have no concept of PTSD,” said Russell Terry, CEO of the Iraq War Veterans Association. Does this surprise you?  It doesn’t surprise me in the least, but it upsets me.

The VA doesn’t realize that individuals who seek help for PTSD require trained therapists who are going to understand our culture, who are going to establish an ongoing relationship, not rotate out so the veteran has to start all over gain with someone else who speaks and understands the English language and finally who really cares as opposed to just picking up a paycheck.

Any comments are certainly welcomed.