The percentage of veterans ages 24-65 who report being in fair or poor health, compared with civilians in the same age group, according to a new data brief from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), The Health of Male Veterans and Nonveterans Aged 25–64: United States, 2007–2010 (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db101.htm).
It's time for our latest batch of announcements about all the recent and upcoming events at the Center for Deployment Psychology.
In addition to the recently announced training session in Salt Lake City (now open for registration!), we're currently finalizing detail and locations for two more iterations of our "Addressing the Psychological Health of Warriors and their Families" course. We're planning on one more out west and one on the east coast. They'll most likely be scheduled for late fall or early winter.
It is simple math. Over the past 12 years more than 2 million service members have deployed, many multiple times, and some studies suggest that at least 30% of these warriors will have some psychological health concern or traumatic brain injury. That means potentially 600,000 service personnel who could benefit from some type of behavioral health service. Add to that almost 2 family members for every service member, who have also endured multiple deployments and the math becomes clear. The needs of warriors and their families far outstrip the ability of the military and veteran behavioral health services to provide timely access to quality care.
The number of OIF/OEF veterans "seen for potential PTSD" at VA facilities through March 31, 2011, according to Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) at a U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing July 14. Senator Murray is chairman of that committee. The title of the hearing? VA Mental Health Care: Closing the Gaps.