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Home   /   News / News Item

Kuhl Urges Army To Limit Redeployment Of Mentally Unstable Soldiers


Washington, Oct 27 -

 
Bath, NY - October 27, 2008 – Today, U.S. Representative John R. "Randy" Kuhl sent a letter to Army Secretary Pete Geren in response to recent reports that the Army is redeploying soldiers who are deemed mentally unstable.
 
"Our veterans are our nation's heroes. But the tolls of war can affect each soldier differently and as such, some veterans return from combat with emotional or mental health needs. The recent trend of sending our troops over without giving them time to heal is inexcusable and should be stopped," said Rep. Kuhl. "I am proud to have founded the House Veterans' Mental Health Caucus because I believe that our soldiers’ mental health needs should be a top priority of this government."
 
According to ABC News, recent Army surveys show that soldiers deployed once have a 12 percent rate of anxiety, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For those deployed three or more times, the rate is 27 percent. In addition, twelve percent of soldiers in Iraq and 17 percent of those in Afghanistan reported taking antidepressants, anxiety medications or sleep medications in the Army's most recent mental health survey.
 
Since his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Representative Kuhl has been a strong champion for our veterans and active troops. In June, Congressman Kuhl formed the House Veterans' Mental Health Caucus. This Caucus will bring Republicans, Democrats, and Independents together to increase awareness of mental healthcare needs of returning veterans, including conditions such as PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, treatment options for these and other conditions, job training and readjustment, suicide prevention, and funding needs.
 
Text of the letter is below.
 
Dear Secretary Geren:
 
I am writing to share with you my concerns regarding recent reports that the U.S. Army has redeployed soldiers who are deemed mentally unstable. As the Co-Chair of the House Veterans' Mental Health Caucus, I am troubled to hear of policies that put vulnerable Servicemembers back into harm's way.
 
It is my understanding that the Army is not keeping track of how many soldiers who have suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are returning to the battlefield. As conditions like PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury become more widespread throughout our military, I believe that it is incumbent upon the Army to closely monitor any Servicemembers that suffer from these conditions, and to do all it can to prevent these soldiers from returning to combat roles.
 
I am pleased to hear that the Army is partnering with the National Institute of Mental Health to work to reduce suicides in the Army, as this will help to mitigate the effects of often devastating mental health conditions. However, I respectfully urge you to act in your capacity to limit the redeployment of already-affected Servicemembers, as doing otherwise poses a threat not only to the lives of these brave men and women, but also to the overall strength of our military.
 
I look forward to hearing from you and I thank you for your brave and honorable service to our country.

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