Mental Illness In The Military On The Rise

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CBS News

Mental health disorders are snowballing as more and more soldiers and Marines are sent back for repeat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports.

According to the Pentagon's latest mental health survey, 31 percent of Marines, 38 percent of soldiers and 49 percent of the National Guard reported psychological symptoms such as anger, depression or alcohol abuse after returning home. As the director of the survey said, combat stress is not something you just get over.

"It may manifest and change their lives forever. These are men and women who have undergone experiences that are unlike anything else in humankind," Vice Adm. Donald Arthur said.

For wounded soldiers like Staff Sgt. Daniel Shannon, post-traumatic stress disorder adds insult to their injuries.

"I started smashing furniture, very rapidly; so fast I didn't know what I was doing 'til it happened. I'd get mad so fast, so angry, and just lash out," Shannon said.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/15/eveningnews/main2936403.shtml

[onehandle]

1. One of many Bush legacies. nt

[mahina]

2. We just had a National Guardsman kill his 14 year old son,

who was protecting his pregnant mother.

The baby didn't make it.

As the daughter of a Hawaii National Guard Vietnam vet who struggled with PTSD his whole adult life on return, my heart breaks for all of them, including the father.

This must end.

[UTUSN]

3. Well, mental health problems are RAMPANT in the federal White House & Naval Observatory residences

[olddad56]

4. PTSD is a treatable disorder, but the VA won't pay for treatment that works.

[jberryhill]

5. Starting with Commander Cuckoo Bananas /nt