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
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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