Veterans Issue Area: Military and Veteran Families
What are the issues?
The American Psychological Association reports that “3 out of 5 service members have family responsibilities that include a legal spouse or children.” The toll of multiple deployments is felt by the family members at home as well. Some military families have support systems, while others may be isolated in civilian communities.
Veterans Issue Area: TBI
What is TBI?
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is caused by blunt force injury to the head and/or the concussive force of explosions which cause the brain to push against the skull. TBI results in a broad range of physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional and social challenges. Diagnosis can be difficult because there need be no obvious injury or penetration of the skull and the symptoms are diffuse and mimic those of PTSD.
Veterans Issue Area: National Guard and Reserves
What are the issues?
Approximately 30% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are National Guard and Reserve. Throughout our Nation’s history, National Guard members have been called upon to respond to domestic duties under the jurisdiction of their individual states; the Reserve Forces serve their Nation when called upon, but are know as “weekend warriors,” not accustomed to serving continuously with active duty.
New RAND Report
“Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery” is a report released in April 2008 by the RAND Corporation and funded by a grant from the Iraq Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund.
The study looks at the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and traumatic brain injury on military personnel of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). For more information about the RAND report, contact the RAND Corporation at (703) 413-1100.
On February 7, 2008, Veterans for Common Sense testified before Congress and estimated 320,000 potential traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.
Now the new study by the RAND Corporation confirms our estimates for TBI and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
View a news article by Veterans for Common Sense here.
Now, more than ever, the military and VA must develop a comprehensive joint plan so that all Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans are examined for both TBI and PTSD, and that they are provided prompt and high-quality healthcare. This should reduce stigma and reduce long-term problems associated with untreated mental health conditions.
Paul Sullivan
Executive Director
Veterans for Common Sense
Post Office Box 15514
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 558-4553
Paul@VeteransForCommonSense.org
To find out more about what the CIAV is doing, check out the traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder sections of our website.
