(Washington D.C.) Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus today announced his legislation to provide mental health assessments to returning combat troops to help identify and treat post-combat stress injuries and suicidal tendencies is included in this year’s defense authorization bill.

The legislation, which is modeled after a program currently used by the Montana National Guard, would require the military to provide a mental health assessment for every Soldier, Marine, Airman, or Sailor after he or she returns from combat and no later than six, twelve, and twenty-four months after they come home.  The assessments would be provided in a private, clinical setting by licensed mental-health professionals or personnel trained and certified to perform such assessments.

“This is about taking care of our service men and women, just as they have taken care of us. These people have put their lives on the line in the name of freedom and we have a responsibility to do everything we can to help return to their families and lives back home,” Baucus said. “Our men and women in uniform are the most honorable and brave individuals I know, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure they are safe, whether they are in Iraq or Afghanistan or right here at home.”

The purpose of the assessments will be to identify Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicidal tendencies, and other behavioral health issues to identify which service members are in need of additional health care and treatment. 

According to a 2008 RAND study, nearly 20 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression.  The Army’s suicide rate has increased every year since the Iraq war began and in 2008, the Army reported 143 suicides, the highest number since the Army began keeping records in 1980.

“Every minute we wait to improve mental health care for troops has a human cost. Already, we’ve lost as many soldiers to suicide this year as in Iraq and Afghanistan combined,” said Patrick Campbell from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “We need to identify those most in need of mental health care before it’s too late. Mandatory mental health screenings have been a top priority for IAVA, and we applaud Senator Baucus for their hard work on this critical legislation.”

“When I hear of young men and women whose life is ended too soon or who have to silently battle behavioral health issues, it absolutely devastates me,” Baucus said. “And that is why I want every one of our brave servicemen and women to have access to the resources we have in Montana.  If we can prevent just one needless tragedy it will be worth it.”

Under current policies, the post-combat assessments provided for service members vary widely from state to state and from unit to unit. If troops are not identified with PTSD or other problems upon return from combat, they often do not receive a follow up assessments unless their primary care provider notices a problem during his or her physical exam.  

Baucus partnered on the legislation with Matt Kuntz, whose has been a leading advocate for the screenings after his stepbrother, a service member, took his own life.

“I really can’t say enough about how hard Max Baucus and his staff worked to bring the Montana National Guard’s face-to-face screening model to the entire military,” Kuntz said.  “This program will save lives and help military families across America, by helping our service members get the help for their post traumatic stress injuries.”

Montana Senator Jon Tester is a co-sponsor and strong supporter of the legislation, as it complements his work on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“This is a milestone accomplishment in the effort to erase the stigma of mental health care in our nation’s military,” said Senator Jon Tester, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.  “I congratulate Max for his success on behalf of our troops for helping to break down the barriers to quality care that they have earned through selfless service.  I will continue to work with Max to fight to get all of Montana’s troops and veterans the care they need.”  

The bill is also strongly endorsed by the Military Officers Association of America, The Enlisted Association of the National Guard, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the National Guard Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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