Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


3

'Stress Camp' Aimed at Bucking Up US Troops

Share

(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
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
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
3 comments
VIEWING:
 
SalParadise
Aug 18, 09 8:36 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. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
offspringdude235
Aug 18, 09 10:56 AM CDT
It definitely can't hurt.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
Newt
Aug 19, 09 10:35 AM CDT
"while sergeants worry the program is too "touchy-feely" to fit a military culture hostile to talking about emotions" FUCKED UP. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

130 Stories

 Morale Down in Afghanistan: 
 Army 

One in six soldiers suffers from a psychological disorder

Nov 13, 09 6:00 PM CST
(Newser) - Morale is down and psychological problems rampant among troops in Afghanistan, who face a shortage of mental health professionals to help them deal with the stress of war. Only 5.7% of soldiers described their unit's moral as high or very high, down from 10.2% in 2007 and 10.... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Afghanistan • mental health • US military • US Army • Afghanistan war • American soldiers • morale

 Poll: Grouchy 
 Public Sticks 
 With Obama 

Glum nation pessimistic about economy, wars

Nov 11, 09 4:49 AM CST
(Newser) - America's mood has crashed hard after the euphoria that greeted Barack Obama's inauguration: A recent poll shows the country in a pessimistic funk as the president struggles to revive the economy and fight two wars abroad. But Americans haven't lost all faith in Obama: His approval stands at 54%, no... More »

MORE ABOUT:
US economy • approval ratings • Iraq war • Afghanistan war • opinion polls • polls • President Obama

opinion

 Honor Hero Cop: End 
 Ban on Women in Combat 

Time to wrap up the military's 'failed social experiment'

Nov 7, 09 10:15 AM CST
(Newser) - Thursday’s shooting rampage at Fort Hood was just the latest example of how there really is no front line for US troops these days; Iraq and Afghanistan are entirely battlefields. So women are already, in effect, in combat, and anyone wanting still more proof that they can handle it... More »

MORE ABOUT:
US military • Iraq war • Afghanistan war • President Obama • women in the military • Fort Hood • Fort Hood shooting • Nidal Malik Hasan • Kimberly Munley • women in combat

130 Stories


US  •  Science & Health 
TwitterFollow @NewserUS on Twitter

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

from our news partners