Psychiatry

The San Diego Union-Tribune is running a story by Gretel Kovach about increasing rates of suicide in the Marine Corps. The piece claims the Marine Corps reported the highest suicide rate among the armed forces for 2009. It goes on to describe Navy Medicine's efforts to try to address the problem:

“We never slowed our efforts in suicide prevention,” so the rising rates have been stunning, said Cmdr. Aaron Werbel, head of the Marine Corps’ Suicide Prevention Program. “There has been a lot of really serious concern. Of all the things we are doing, what are we missing? Is there something that we have not hit upon yet that would help us turn this around?”

Earlier this week, ABC news reported that the FAA has ended a ban on anti-depressants in the cockpit:

Pilots taking medication for mild or moderate depression will soon be allowed in the cockpit under new Federal Aviation Administration guidelines that reverse a nearly 70-year ban. Clinically depressed pilots, including those undergoing therapy or prescription treatment, are currently prohibited from flying.
Pilots on antidepressants will be allowed to fly planes.

In June of 2007 the DoD Mental Health Task Report recommended that mental health screening questions from the security clearance questionnaire be removed to reduce stigma. In response, the DoD announced in the spring of 2008 that the mental health question on the Standard Form 86 would be revised.

Here is the language from the September 1995 revision:

In the last 7 years, have you consulted with a mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, etc.) or have you consulted with another health care provider about a mental health related condition?

Stripes is running a story about mental health checks for spouses of deployed soldiers:

Spouses face day-to-day pressure while soldiers are away and very little is being done for them at home, according to Rebecca Sinclair, the wife of 172nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Jeff Sinclair.

USA Today has an article today written by Gregg Zoroya entitled Troops' kids feel war toll. The article claims that children of combat troops have more fear, anxiety and behavioral problems. Here are some select quotes: