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April 17, 2008 - Over 300,000 War Vets Suffer Brain Injuries, Psychological Damage

April 17, 2008 – Approximately 300,000 U.S. troops are suffering from major depression or Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving in the wars in and , and another 320,000 received brain injuries, according to a study released today by RAND Corporation. The study estimates that only about half of sufferers have sought treatment.

A researcher and co-project manager of the study at RAND has said this a major health crisis, with long-term consequences for both the individual veterans and the nation, if the affected veterans start to receive the appropriate and effective care that they need.

The 500-page study is the first large-scale, private assessment of its kind. It includes a survey of 1,965 service members from across all branches of the armed forces, including those still in the military as well veterans who have left the services.

The study results appear to be consistent with a number of mental health reports from within the government, although the Department of Defense has not released the number of people it has diagnosed or who are being treated for psychological problems. The Department of Veterans Affairs said this month that its records show about 120,000 who served in the two wars and are no longer in the military have been diagnosed with mental health problems. Of the 120,000, approximately 60,000 are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the VA said. One motivation for conducting the study, says RAND, was the lack of information from the Pentagon.

Veterans Affairs is responsible for the ongoing care of service members after they have left the military, while the Defense Department covers the care of those serving active duty and the reservists.

The most prominent and detailed military study on mental health released to date is the Army's survey last fall of soldiers at the warfront, which found that 18.2 percent of soldiers were suffering from a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or acute stress.

The RAND Corporation’s study, completed in January, put the combined percentage of soldiers suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or depression at 18.5 percent. The percentage is based on Pentagon data indicating that 1.6 million military personnel have deployed to the two conflicts since the war in began in late 2001.

RAND researchers also found that approximately 19 percent, or some 320,000 service members report having suffered some form of traumatic brain injury while deployed in areas where roadside blasts were prevalent.

Additional numbers include:

- 7 percent suffer from both a traumatic brain injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or major depression.

- Only 43 percent of those who suffered a likely traumatic brain injury report ever being evaluated by a physician.

- Only 53 percent of service members with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression have sought help over the past year.

The service members who reported either brain injuries or psychological disorders gave various reasons for not getting help, including concerns about the possible side effects of medication; belief that the support of family and friends would help them, and fear that seeking care would have a damaging effect on their careers.

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 conducted by a team of 25 researchers from RAND Health and the RAND National Security Research Division.

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