IAVA
Yesterday, a U.S. military vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. Another was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. We hear reports like these coming out of Iraq almost every day. But what happens to the soldiers who survive these attacks? Are those who suffer the psychological wounds of war getting all the care they need?
Not according to the Department of Defense. Not even close. According to a disturbing new report1, troops are still reluctant to seek counseling because of the stigma of mental health care, and the military's mental health professionals are often inaccessible to service members and their families. That means the troops who need help most aren't asking for it, and the military isn't reaching out to make sure they get treated.
There is no excuse for failing to provide soldiers suffering from PTSD and other mental issues with all the care they need. This month, IAVA has been focusing on Mental Health issues in Washington and in the media. And with your support, we'll continue the fight. But in order for real change to happen, people need to understand the problems.
This is where you can help, by spreading awareness of these crucial issues. Check out "Without a Scratch" - a two-part series published in the Washington Post this week, authored by the same reporters who wrote the watershed articles on Walter Reed. The series gives detailed and deeply personal accounts of soldiers trying to seek out mental health care, and shows how the DoD and VA failed to account for this long-term cost of the war.
Then take a minute to tell three of your friends about these articles. You can forward this email or use our Tell-A-Friend tool.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Paul RieckhoffIraq VeteranExecutive DirectorIraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
1. You can get the full report here: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=368175037&url_num=11&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ha.osd.mil%2Fdhb%2Fmhtf%2FMHTF-Report-Final.pdf
Not according to the Department of Defense. Not even close. According to a disturbing new report1, troops are still reluctant to seek counseling because of the stigma of mental health care, and the military's mental health professionals are often inaccessible to service members and their families. That means the troops who need help most aren't asking for it, and the military isn't reaching out to make sure they get treated.
There is no excuse for failing to provide soldiers suffering from PTSD and other mental issues with all the care they need. This month, IAVA has been focusing on Mental Health issues in Washington and in the media. And with your support, we'll continue the fight. But in order for real change to happen, people need to understand the problems.
This is where you can help, by spreading awareness of these crucial issues. Check out "Without a Scratch" - a two-part series published in the Washington Post this week, authored by the same reporters who wrote the watershed articles on Walter Reed. The series gives detailed and deeply personal accounts of soldiers trying to seek out mental health care, and shows how the DoD and VA failed to account for this long-term cost of the war.
Then take a minute to tell three of your friends about these articles. You can forward this email or use our Tell-A-Friend tool.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Paul RieckhoffIraq VeteranExecutive DirectorIraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
1. You can get the full report here: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?key=368175037&url_num=11&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ha.osd.mil%2Fdhb%2Fmhtf%2FMHTF-Report-Final.pdf
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 3:34 PM
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