Shocking numbers of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering the psychological trauma of war: 45,000 have already sought assistance for post traumatic stress disorder and the American Psychological Association estimates that one-quarter of all soldiers and Marines returning from those conflicts bear the psychological scars of war. Even if these veterans are able to overcome the stigma still associated with psychological trauma and seek help, recent reports commissioned by the Pentagon found that mental health care for returning troops was not readily available nor were the practitioners suitably trained. America’s veterans and their families, who have been asked to sacrifice so much over the last six years, deserve the best physical and psychological care. It is time to bring this hidden toll of war out of the shadows.
Please join us as we welcome a distinguished panel to the Center for American Progress to discuss the state of active duty and veterans mental health programs.
Featured Speakers:
Lt. Gen. Michael D. Rochelle, Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Army
Col. Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, MD, MPH, Psychiatry Consultant to the US Army Surgeon General
Mark Benjamin, Salon.com
Introduction by:
Dr. Lawrence J. Korb, Senior Fellow, The Center for American Progress and Senior Advisor to the Center for Defense Information
Moderated by:
Dr. Stephen N. Xenakis (Brig. Gen. USA-Ret.), former Commanding General of the Southeast Regional Army Medical Command