[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23512]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    THE INCREASED MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR RETURNING SOLDIERS AND 
                                VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, October 9, 2004

  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.

                          ____________________