Numerous reports indicate that a large percentage of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder. In a hearing on Thursday, May 24, the Committee will hear from afflicted soldiers and their families, examine the ability of the DOD and the VA to screen, treat, and track returning soldiers who are at risk, and assess the impact that these illnesses are having on military readiness and military families.
Panel One
o Army Specialist Thomas Smith
o Richard and Carol Coons, Parents of Army Master Sergeant James Coons
o Tammie LeCompte, Wife of Army Specialist Ryan LeCompte
Panel Two
o Dr. Thomas Insel, Director, National Institute of Mental Health
o Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick, Department of Defense, Deputy Director, Deployment Health Support, accompanied by Dr. Jack Smith, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Clinical and Program Policy
o Dr. Antonette Zeiss, Department of Veterans Affairs, Deputy Chief Consultant, Office of Mental Health Services, accompanied by Dr. Al Batres, Chief Officer, Office of Readjustment Counseling
o Dr. John A. Fairbank, Duke University, Member, Institute of Medicine Committee on Veterans’ Compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
2 comments:
They have to do something for these soldiers, at least it's a start, unfortunatley Waxman who is already so busy is taking on another issue that should have been taken care of when the first soldiers returned from duty.
Yes, it has to do with the soldiers. Many soldiers who do return home will have emotional, physical, psychological, and mental problems.
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