WASHINGTON - An estimated 300,000 U.S. veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are believed to be suffering from major mental health problems.
That conclusion today in a major new study released by the non-profit RAND Corporation. Its says 300,000 U.S. men and woman who have served in the two wars suffer from either major depression or post traumatic stress disorder.
In addition, the RAND study says 320,000 U.S. veterans have suffered various degrees of brain injuries.
The study found few veterans seek help for their problems.
According to Terri Tanielian, a researcher and the project's co-leader, the findings point to a major health crisis.
"Unless they receive appropriate and effective care for these mental health conditions, there will be long-term consequences for them and for the nation," she said in an interview with The Associated Press.
The 500-page study is the first large-scale, private assessment of its kind. The survey of 1,965 service members across the United States included all branches of the armed forces and involved those still in the military as well veterans who have left the services.
Its results appear consistent with a number of mental health reports from within the government, though the U.S. Defence Department has not released the number of people it has diagnosed or who are being treated for mental problems.
The Department of Veterans Affairs said this month that its records show about 120,000 soldiers who served in the two wars and are no longer in the military have been diagnosed with mental health problems. Of the 120,000, approximately 60,000 are suffering from PTSD, the VA said.
Veterans Affairs is responsible for care of service members after they have left the service, while the Defence Department covers active duty and reservist needs. The lack of information from the Pentagon was one motivation for the RAND study, Tanielian said.
The Rand study, completed in January, put the percentage of PTSD and depression at 18.5 per cent, calculating that approximately 300,000 current and former service members were suffering from those problems at the time of its survey.
The figure is based on Pentagon data showing over 1.6 million military personnel have deployed to the conflicts since the war in Afghanistan began in late 2001.
RAND researchers also found:
-About 19 per cent - or some 320,000 services members - reported that they experienced a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed. In wars where blasts from roadside bombs are prevalent, the injuries can range from mild concussions to severe head wounds.
-About seven per cent reported both a probable brain injury and current PTSD or major depression.
-Only 43 per cent reported ever being evaluated by a physician for their head injuries.
-Only 53 per cent of service members with PTSD or depression sought help over the past year.
-They gave various reasons for not getting help, including that they worried about the side effects of medication; believe family and friends could help them with the problem, or that they feared seeking care might damage their careers.
-Rates of PTSD and major depression were highest among women and reservists.
The report is titled "Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery."
It was sponsored by a grant from the California Community Foundation and done by 25 researchers from RAND Health and the RAND National Security Research Division, which also has done does work under contracts with the Pentagon and other defence agencies as well as allied foreign governments and foundations.
-
RAND Corporation: http://www.rand.org
Army studies: http://www.armymedicine.army.mil
