EDITORIALS : Better Care
Posted on Friday, May 9, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/Editorial/61634/
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced last week, during a visit to Fort Bliss, Texas, that military personnel, as well as civilians, will no longer have to reveal previous mental-health treatment when applying for security clearances for sensitive positions.
The exceptions are if treatment was ordered by a court or was related to violence.
The change is a welcome one. Especially in light of recent studies that indicate large numbers of military men and women who served in Afghanistan and Iraq suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and other mental and emotional problems related to their service.
The studies also revealed that few sought treatment. The main reason was a fear that a record of mental-health care would have a negative impact on their careers.
The move has the support of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the major military and civilian intelligence agencies.
Secretary Gates also promised that better care and treatment options for soldiers with mental-health issues will be developed.
We are happy to see the Defense Department take such a positive step to help combat veterans and others get treatment without fear.
Our troops go through a lot when put in harm’s way. What they are called upon to endure and what they see in the line of duty are beyond the comprehension of most Americans. It’s no wonder that sometimes the scars aren’t only physical.
And we have done a poor job of helping our troops get badly needed help. In his announcement, Gates called PTSD one of the “ unseen wounds” of war. Hopefully, it will soon no longer be one of the untreated wounds of war.
— Texarkana Gazette