Veterans deserve fair treatment for mental ills

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His episode is only one of a slew of combat-induced cases of trauma, as revealed in recent data released by the RAND Corporation: Nearly a million current or former service members were diagnosed with mental health conditions from 2001 to 2011, and at least 30,000 were deemed to have pre-existing illnesses such as personality or adjustment disorders. On Long Island, more than 750 recent veterans have PTSD, more than 700 have suffered traumatic brain injuries, and more than 400 have both conditions. Even those who are not mentally disabled experience nightmares, have vivid memories or flashbacks of traumatizing events, feel emotionally isolated from others and have frequent debilitating feelings of panic.

According to John Javis, director of special projects for the Mental Health Association of Nassau County and the chairman of the Veterans Health Alliance, veterans who have a stigmatizing discharge status — whether it’s classified as a general or an other-than-honorable discharge, both of which result from unmeritorious conduct — are often barred from receiving necessary services and resources offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including mental health counseling, health care, housing and employment. This rejection of services, Javis said, often leads to homelessness and suicidal thoughts among these veterans.

“Although much has been done by the military to reduce the stigma against invisible wounds,” Goldsmith said at the news conference, “many of those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury or military sexual trauma avoid getting help in order to preserve their careers and, as a result, go undiagnosed and untreated while in the military. Too many veterans have been denied an honorable discharge without ever being properly screened by qualified mental health professionals. This legislation will make sure that these vets are finally afforded that opportunity.”
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