Afghanistan Troops to Receive Boost of Mental Health Workers
November 26th, 2009
The need for a greater range of mental health services, and for greater access to such services, among US veterans, especially those returning from the wards in Iraq and Afghanistan, has become increasingly clear in recent months. As concerns over incidences of suicide at post-traumatic stress disorder grow, the Department of Veterans Affairs has shown a deep concern over the issue. Yet those still on active duty are also exposed to high amounts of stress and trauma, and delivering the services they need is a challenge for the army. Recently, an army Lieutenant General noted that the service will be sending sixty three mental health specialists to Afghanistan to help soldiers receive counseling and support. Though many on duty may have already developed dramatic mental health concerns, it is hoped that reaching them before they return home will help ease any symptoms experienced once the conflict is over.
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Best thing i’ve heard in quite a while concerning Afghanistan. A friend of mine in the war is going through a messy divorce and it is sad as some people dont have the tenacity for war. I am sure this is a welcome measure for soldiers needing help dealing with trauma and making sense of it.
We feel weird and abnormal for days if we happen to see a freak accident that claims a life. Imagine seeing death all around you all day, everyday… it must be taking a big toll on their mental health and there needs to be a good reddressal system so that they don’t happen to succumb to the chaos.
It would be better if mental health services, that are being offered to veterans returning from these wars are extended to the personnel currently there too… maybe they can have a session every week when it is their time off the duty…?
We can only imagine what these personnel go through seeing so much violence and being involved in all the chaos… and all that in a foreign land… staying away from their families for months together! It is not everybody’s cup of coffee and those who are able to do all this for the country deserve the best possible support.
Well I think regular session are an essential part of supplies given to personnel in war-time because after all the physical pain that they go through, they even carry the mental baggage around and there needs to be an outlet to offload this baggage of theirs and mental health services serve as a good offloading destination.
This is a welcome move because a lot of personnel in the armed forces are very stressed due to the physically and mentally challenging nature of work. I just hope the plans are implemented in the most effective manner.
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