Comments on: Therapy in Outer Space…Literally :)

By: Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman

Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:15:25 +0000

In Ontario, Canada, mental health care (evaluation and treatment by a psychiatrist and others) is provided via a video link. The consulting room in the remote location has a camera and tv as does the mental health professional’s location. This is provided by the government though their health care system.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:27:33 +0000

Are people in these remote situations being offered things like online therapy? That seems to be growing in popularity and may be useful for them.

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:23:08 +0000

I can’t imagine a day without meeting my friends family or other people. I might lose my mind.

By: tecumseh

tecumseh — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:59:58 +0000

In terms of cost, this program is extremely low budget. Two million dollars? That’s what Tom Cruise gets paid for a fifth of a movie. It’s half a season for an all-star baseball player. It’s the price of the yearly ammo for one platoon in Iraq. It’s less than a penny per American. Think of this as an EAP program for astronauts. Then check out what your employing company spends yearly on its EAP program.

By: musta must

musta must — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:33:07 +0000

it takes a very courageous person to go up and leave their families for such a long time.

By: jeni

jeni — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:26:22 +0000

I think this is a great program for the astronauts. I must admit I am shocked at the cost of this is. I do understand that they need some kind of contact, communication, etc from the outside world. We don’t really know what these astronauts have to go through, especially for months without any family. I believe anything that can help these astronauts gain some sanity is a good thing.

By: Hudson

Hudson — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:05:59 +0000

This is a fine program for those who choose to use their God given intellect and talents for the betterment and security of our country. I would not take away any treatment or comfort that might get them through what must surely be tough times being so far away from home and families for extended periods of time. These men and women are serving their nation in an honorable as well as educational manner and we all ought to provide for them the best way that we know how. I do, like one reader, assume that they are all so well provided for and prepared for this when they go into service but you cannot always plan for the intangibles and there must be an effective program in place to help the deal with whatever issues and emotions arise.

By: James

James — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:11:41 +0000

I can see both sides of the argument. By one token you think these people should be trained and prepared to handle these kinds of stresses; on the other hand I guess we never really know the ways that we will experience different things until we are right there in the thick of things.

By: daniel b

daniel b — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:10:21 +0000

Also, Diane, you say: healthcare is a priority. This *is* healthcare – is it not? Shouldn’t government employees have mental health benefits as part of their health care?

By: daniel b

daniel b — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:09:03 +0000

Nikki and Daine: If one opposes the space program, I can understand opposing this project. But if you are going to send human beings into space for months, why would anyone concerned about mental health want them not to have psychological support? This is one of the hardest jobs on the planet; if an astronaut is anxious or depressed, what do you suggest?

By: Nikki

Nikki — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:17:57 +0000

Thanks Diane! I totally agree with you on this one. I knwo that these jobs can be dangerous and probably lonely but come one! They know all of this before signing up for the program right?

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:50:05 +0000

Education is a priority and so is health care. What about the millions of homeless?? Tax payers money should not help in this regard

By: Savannah

Savannah — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:35:10 +0000

Sure that there are many benefits to this but I think that for the millions of us who are not astronauts there are better programs to be funded. Just my opinion.

By: Miranda

Miranda — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:18:30 +0000

This is a better way of spending taxpayers money than financing “sling mud at me ” election campaigns. Astronauts go through rigourous training and they are just ordinary people most of the time. When you go through military academy,you are a little more prepared mentally for separation than when you are an astronaut. Anyways this is a really good step forward for therapists.

By: daniel b

daniel b — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:56:54 +0000

At a cost of two million dollars, this program – which could save lives (and lots more money if it prevents just one mission failure) – comes to about a penny per taxpayer.

By: Savannah

Savannah — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:24:37 +0000

I am sure these astronauts need the therapy but is this really the best way to be spending US tax dollars right now? I completely get the need for therapy as I am sure it is difficult to be in such remote situations and so far removed from family and friends but perhaps this is not the best time to be advertising programs such as this. Are these programs privately funded or are the tax payers coughing up the money for it?