In our view: Our troops deserve greater care

June 21, 2009 08:31 pm

— Major steps have been taken by the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration to help soldiers returning from war with post-traumatic stress disorder.
But more needs to be done.
The condition, known as PTSD for short, is a complicated problem that is growing in scope and intensity nationally. It is inevitable during war. More cases are showing up of late because of the high rate of multiple tours of duty in the war zones.
Identifying military personnel who are in need of help, and getting them that help requires two-fold action.
The Department of Defense must do more for veterans with PTSD, and military personnel and their families must be willing to seek evaluation and treatment before a crisis occurs.
There are many places for veterans to get help, even anonymously.
Signs of PTSD can include:
Combat flashbacks or bad dreams.
Reluctance to talk about battlefield experiences.
Difficulty in relationships.
Alcohol or drug abuse.
Elevated anger or irritability.
Trouble sleeping.
Brig. Gen. Loree K. Sutton recently detailed steps the Defense Department has taken to help offset the impact of PTSD.
“Despite the progress, much work remains to be done,” said Sutton. “We will continue to work to meet the needs of our reserve forces, especially those in rural or underserved areas.”
That’s good news.
We need the Defense Department to have a greater involvement in the impact of combat on soldiers as they return to civilian life. These men and women pay a huge price to serve their country, and they deserve full support in their training, their deployment and after they return home.
Likewise, soldiers and those close to them must have the courage to seek out help when problems begin to surface — and not after a personal or community tragedy has occurred.
PTSD is a problem society cannot ignore.

— The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.