Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, October 3 through October 9 is Mental
Illness Awareness Week. During this week, it is critical that Members
of Congress and the American public recognize the increased mental
health needs of our returning soldiers and veterans.
As co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, I rise today
to express my strong support for expansion of the mental health
benefits offered to our veterans and the men and women currently
serving in our armed services. Those who have witnessed the atrocities
of war must have professional assistance to deal with the traumatic
memories that they are going to live with for the rest of their lives. These traumatic memories can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, a dangerous biological condition affecting a soldier's body, mind, and certainly family. Unfortunately, soldiers returning home often do not receive the comprehensive care they need. Some even sign their rights-to-service away.
Many of the soldiers who served in recent wars in the Middle East
have a desperate need for mental health services. Here are some
alarming statistics. Out of 15,000 veterans returning from the Middle
East who have utilized VA healthcare services, 12 percent presented
symptoms related to psychological trauma. It is estimated that more
than 25 percent of troops returning from Iraq are being examined for
mental health concerns. These are startling statistics and dramatically
demonstrate the need for more mental health services.
We must concern ourselves that many soldiers find it difficult to
obtain treatment or fail to seek help because of the stigma attached to
mental illness due to a lack of sensitivity. Just look at our jails and
our homeless population. Our communities and our social service system
are affected, yet we refuse to admit a problem exists.
I am also deeply troubled and concerned, as are many women Members of
Congress, with our returning women soldiers who may have been exposed
to the traumatic experience of sexual assault. For example, a
horrendous 8 percent of female Gulf War Veterans experienced an
attempted or completed sexual assault during deployment. The PTSD from
sexual assault is just as harmful as combat related PTSD. This must
cease immediately.
In the past three decades, the Veterans' Administration has taken
great strides toward better mental care services for men and women, and
there is now a better understanding of PTSD because of research
conducted through the VA health system. More remains to be done. Twenty-five years ago, the VA offered no PTSD services, no Vet Centers, no homeless services. Today these services exist though limited. However, many veterans will not benefit from these services because of a lack of access. There are just not enough Vet Centers, and the need for services will only continue to grow as a result of U.S. involvement throughout the world.
Additional funding for the VA health system must be appropriated to
improve access to care. The President's proposal of funding increase of
only 2 percent for the VA health system does not even cover increases
in cost of living and is insufficient even to maintain the inadequate
current level services. The demand on PTSD services has not kept up
with the increase need of services. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
have greatly increased the need for these vital services. Some veterans
who need weekly or biweekly follow-up appointments for therapy are
forced to wait weeks, and in many cases even months. This is
unconscionable. The VA does not have enough mental health professionals
due in part to lack of funding, and the President's low funding
proposal will exacerbate this problem. Our returning soldiers and
veterans deserve better from their government. They have earned what
was promised them.
The Bush administration has repeatedly emphasized that the war in
Iraq is not another Vietnam. However, by not providing veterans the
necessary mental health resources, we can assure the same high rates of
suicide that existed among Vietnam veterans. As we conclude our
recognition of mental illness awareness this week, we will continue our
fight to ensure that our veterans and service personnel will be able to
receive the mental health services they deserve. Their sacrifice for
our beloved country paid for them.