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'Stress Camp' Aimed at Bucking Up US Troops

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 18, 2009 2:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – The army has a new plan to fight rampant suicide, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder: a $117 million program to train soldiers in "emotional resiliency."  Beginning in October, all 1.1 million soldiers will receive intensive training aimed at helping them identify and change destructive thinking patterns, reports the New York Times. Some observers and army officers are wary of the program.

Experts caution that the program's techniques have been tested only on children and teenagers, not adults, while sergeants worry the program is too "touchy-feely" to fit a military culture hostile to talking about emotions. But with a fifth of Iraq and Afghanistan vets suffering from mental health problems, commanders "need a program that gives soldiers and their families better ways to cope," said a general.

Iraq War combat veteran Dave McBee, who struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, walks with his son through the Soldier On veterans homeless shelter in Leeds, Mass., last year.
Iraq War combat veteran Dave McBee, who struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, walks with his son through the "Soldier On" veterans homeless shelter in Leeds, Mass., last year.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Andrew Brown, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, talks to an AP reporter in Mechanicsburg, Pa., last year.
Andrew Brown, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, talks to an AP reporter in Mechanicsburg, Pa., last year.
Coast Guardsman Adam Credle, Marine Corps Corporal Pete Jarzabek and Sergeant Ryan Barnett listen to instructions during Warrior Mind Training class in Jacksonville, NC, last year.
Coast Guardsman Adam Credle, Marine Corps Corporal Pete Jarzabek and Sergeant Ryan Barnett listen to instructions during Warrior Mind Training class in Jacksonville, NC, last year.   (AP Photo/Logan Wallace)
Pfc. Joseph Dwyer carries a young Iraqi boy in Iraq in 2003. Dwyer died of a drug overdose after struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder for almost five years.
Pfc. Joseph Dwyer carries a young Iraqi boy in Iraq in 2003. Dwyer died of a drug overdose after struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder for almost five years.   (AP Photo/Warren Zinn, Army Times)
Chart shows number of soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder who served in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2003
Chart shows number of soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder who served in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2003
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Newt
Aug 19, 2009 3:35 AM CDT
"while sergeants worry the program is too "touchy-feely" to fit a military culture hostile to talking about emotions" FUCKED UP.
offspringdude235
Aug 18, 2009 3:56 AM CDT
It definitely can't hurt.
SalParadise
Aug 18, 2009 1:36 AM CDT
If this is actually dealing with emotional issues, and not some "buck up, soldier" bullshit, very good for them. Glad to see the men and women who need help the most finally getting it.
US • Health

 
mental health • US Army • Iraq veterans • Afghanistan veterans • Iraq war • Afghanistan war • post-traumatic stress disorder

 
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