US military steps up mental health care for troops in Afghanistan - Polidicks

[IMG]http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/maps_and_graphs/2013/2/1/1359740368278/Soldier-suicides-008.png[/IMG] [QUOTE]The US military in Afghanistan has slowly been building up ways to help troops who are scattered across a harsh, hostile country which is almost as big as Texas, with little privacy and poor communications. The network ranges from a basic "classified Skype" videophone system that gives all but the most isolated soldiers access to a psychologist at any time, to the last-ditch option for extreme cases, a Medevac plane to take any soldier assessed as suicidal or homicidal straight out of the country. In between is a network of professionals and support centres that aim to stop troops needing to take that flight, or – even worse – never making it. "I was at the point of blowing my head off," said 23-year-old Sidney in a "war fighter restoration centre" on the sprawling Bagram airbase, 30 miles north of Kabul, where he spent several days after a near breakdown that was sparked by his wife asking for a divorce. "I lost 30lb in three weeks, I wasn't sleeping, I was ringing my wife five times a day," he said. A team of about 40 psychologists, social workers and supporting behavioural health technicians are based in a concrete and metal hut with sofas, board and video games and a huge DVD library. It is probably as cosy as anywhere on a huge military base can be. They offer everything from drop-in games evenings – where soldiers can quietly unburden themselves to one of the team – to a residential course for soldiers such as Sidney, who are most in need of their help. "We're here as a last resort, before people would have to be sent home," said Staff Sgt Kimberly Aut, a behavioural health technician at the centre.[/QUOTE] Quite a sad read, good thing they're taking preventative action. [url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/01/us-military-mental-health-care-afghanistan[/url]

Well finally our military does something about the suicides is the forces, and I am glad that our service members are getting the help they need. They give enough already time to give them something in return.

ok now how about getting us out or giving the military the needs to actually get work done

[QUOTE=W0w00t;39444823]ok now how about getting us out or giving the military the needs to actually get work done[/QUOTE] [url]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1239399[/url]

It's easier to say "oh now they're doing stuff" looking from the outside in but let me attest to this, we have a ridiculous number of programs already operating. Anyone in can attest to it.

[QUOTE=Rob Markia;39444988][url]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1239399[/url][/QUOTE] thats a lie

[QUOTE=InvaderNouga;39445052]It's easier to say "oh now they're doing stuff" looking from the outside in but let me attest to this, we have a ridiculous number of programs already operating. Anyone in can attest to it.[/QUOTE] Lord yes. In fact, I still have my ACE card in my pocket after getting out of one of the many briefings we get regarding this issue. It is good that this program is here, and that Soldiers are getting help, but the armed forces have been doing programs and briefings for a long time. [editline]1st February 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=W0w00t;39445110]thats a lie[/QUOTE] It really isn't.

the war in afghanistan isn't going to end it was never even a war [editline]1st February 2013[/editline] and theres still going to be anywhere from 10,000 to as much as 25,000 troops in afghanistan past 2014

[QUOTE=W0w00t;39445299]the war in afghanistan isn't going to end it was never even a war [editline]1st February 2013[/editline] and theres still going to be anywhere from 10,000 to as much as 25,000 troops in afghanistan past 2014[/QUOTE] That's what you think, but currently the plan is everyone is getting out by the end of 2014. At the end of 2013 there will only be one FOB left, Bagram Air Field. Everywhere else is closing up shop.

This is especially exciting for me, since this is my career path: to be a military psychiatrist, specializing in these kinds of cases. This is great news.

[QUOTE=SKEEA;39445357]That's what you think, but currently the plan is everyone is getting out by the end of 2014. At the end of 2013 there will only be one FOB left, Bagram Air Field. Everywhere else is closing up shop.[/QUOTE] american troops in afghanistan past 2014 is the plan [url]http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/12/military-no-guarantee-of-troops-in-afghanistan-past-2014-121812w/[/url] american troops leaving completely by 2014 is only a maybe. [url]http://amarillo.com/news/latest-news/2013-01-09/white-house-no-troops-afgnaistan-past-2014[/url] [editline]1st February 2013[/editline] well its either/or but yeah [editline]1st February 2013[/editline] nothing is concrete, either could happen.

[QUOTE=urbanmonkey;39445426]This is especially exciting for me, since this is my career path: to be a military psychiatrist, specializing in these kinds of cases. This is great news.[/QUOTE] Ok man, no offense, but think hard about what you just said and how it might be taken. Basically, I see it as "Oh hey, it is great that Soldiers are feeling suicidal so I can have a better career!" Just be careful with how you word things.

that's good, I knew that the suicide rate in the military was big, but not more than actual deaths in action

If this is the start of mental health reform in America, then I say this is a very good start.

[QUOTE=Pvt. Martin;39445536]If this is the start of mental health reform in America, then I say this is a very good start.[/QUOTE] It really isn't. Did you read the article? This is a military program, overseas, here in Afghanistan, to help with suicide prevention and resiliency. This has nothing to do with American mental health reform.