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Morale Down in Afghanistan: Army

One in six soldiers suffers from a psychological disorder

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 13, 2009 6:00 PM CST
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(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 10.5% in 2005, according to an assessment released today.

In an Army survey, 14% of all soldiers in Afghanistan had a psychological problem, with the rate jumping to 21% when looking at less experienced soldiers—ranks private through specialist. Despite that, the service has only one mental health professional for every 1,120 soldiers. The Army is adding mental health professionals to boost that ratio to one for every 700, but even then, the wide dispersal of forces and rugged terrain will make it hard to get troops the help they need, Stars and Stripes reports.

In this picture taken Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, a U.S. special operations member pays his final respects for a comrade killed on Saturday in Afghanistan's Farah province.
In this picture taken Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, a U.S. special operations member pays his final respects for a comrade killed on Saturday in Afghanistan's Farah province.   (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
In this photo taken Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, U.S. service members are seen during a memorial ceremony for a comrade killed on Saturday in Afghanistan's Farah province.
In this photo taken Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, U.S. service members are seen during a memorial ceremony for a comrade killed on Saturday in Afghanistan's Farah province.   (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Derni
Nov 15, 2009 4:23 AM CST
30 or 40 thousand more troops will not do the job-as a great army vet said- we're just buying a little bit of time." He went on to say on the CNN news that he would advise the President to get out as quick as possible-its a lose -lose situation-didn't we learn anything from Vietnam?? And if you look at the land tearrain where our 9 soldiers were killed you see they were sitting ducks-surroiunded by mountains and they were located at the lowest point so the enemy could attack from above..nice goin-get the hell out and get back here-put the money into the economy and health care-and give our families back their sonds-daughters-fathers-mothers
Guava_Jelly
Nov 14, 2009 12:16 PM CST
Unfortunate. Give em' back up at least until he makes a DECISION
drlarrymitchell
Nov 14, 2009 12:09 PM CST
Ya think?
US • Health

 
Afghanistan • mental health • US military • US Army • Afghanistan war • American soldiers • morale

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