Almost 1 in 5 Troops Suffer From Depression, PTSD

Almost 1 in 5 of U. S. troops who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan now suffer from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reports a new independent study released on April 17. The report is the first major study outside of the government.

The researchers said that 18.5% of current and former service members surveyed reported symptoms of depression and PTSD. Using Pentagon data about the number of service members deployed, the researchers estimated that 300,000 troops were currently affected. Only about half of those with mental health problems had sought treatment, however.

The survey included 1,965 service members across the country, from all branches of the armed forces, both active duty and those who had completed their service.

The results of the study appear to be consistent with government reports. Although the Department of Defense, which covers the medical needs of active duty and reservists, has not released data, the Department of Veterans Affairs, which cares for those who are no longer in the military, reports that 120,000 persons have mental health problems. Around 60,000 of these suffer from PTSD with a slightly smaller number suffering from depression.

Col. Loree Sutton, who heads a new Pentagon center on brain injury, said officials have been working to add thousands more mental health professionals to help meet the demand for care.

The report, titled "Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery", was sponsored by a grant from the California Community Foundation and prepared by researchers from Rand Health and the Rand National Security Research Division.

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