Mental Disorders Huge Issue for US Troops

300K have depression or stress from combat, and half don't seek help

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 17, 2008 3:40 PM CDT

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Mental Disorders Huge Issue for US Troops — Chris Ayres, left, stands in the doorway of his League City, Texas home, Monday, Oct. 15, 2007. Behind him are his wife Renee and daughter Sarah. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

300,000 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have either post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression, and another 320,000 suffered brain injuries, the AP reports. RAND Corporation, in the first private evaluation of mental injury from the conflicts, found 18.5% of combat troops suffered from major depression or PTSD. "There is a major health crisis facing those who have served," said a researcher.

Only 53% of service members with PTSD or depression had sought treatment in the past year.
Only 43% reported of those with possible brain injuries reported being examined by a physician.
7% of the troops reported both a probable brain injury and either PTSD or major depression.

(More Iraq veterans stories.)

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