Counting the Walking Wounded

Lawrence M. Wein

The American troops in Iraq daily face the risk of death or injury — to themselves or their fellow soldiers — by homemade bombs and suicide attackers. So it is not surprising that post-traumatic stress disorder is a common problem among returning soldiers. But how many, exactly, are affected?

This question is key to determining how large an investment the Department of Veterans Affairs needs to make in diagnosing and treating the problem. The United States Army’s Mental Health Advisory Team, which conducted a survey of more than 1,000 soldiers and marines in September 2006, found that 17 percent suffered from P.T.S.D. Similarly, a Rand study put the number at 14 percent.

But these estimates do not take into account the many soldiers who will eventually suffer from P.T.S.D., because there is a lag between the time someone experiences trauma and the time he or she reports symptoms of post-traumatic stress. This can range from days to many years, and it is typically much longer while people are still in the military.

To get a better estimate of the rate of P.T.S.D. among Iraq war veterans, two graduate students, Michael Atkinson and Adam Guetz, and I constructed a mathematical model in which soldiers incur a random amount of stress during each month of deployment (based on monthly American casualty data), develop P.T.S.D. if their cumulative stress exceeds a certain threshold, and also develop symptoms of the disorder after an additional amount of time. We found that about 35 percent of soldiers and marines who deploy to Iraq will ultimately suffer from P.T.S.D. — about 300,000 people, with 20,000 new sufferers for each year the war lasts.

Consider that only 22 percent of recent veterans who may be at risk for P.T.S.D. (based on their answers to screening questions) were referred for a mental health evaluation. Less than 40 percent of service members who get a diagnosis of P.T.S.D. receive mental health services, and only slightly more than half of recent veterans who receive treatment get adequate care. Those who seek follow-up treatment run into delays of up to 90 days, which suggests there is a serious shortage of mental health professionals available to help them.

Proper P.T.S.D. care can lead to complete remission in 30 percent to 50 percent of cases, studies show. Thorough screening of every soldier upon departure from the military, immediately followed by three to six months of treatment for those who need it, would reduce the stigma that is attached to current mental health referrals. The Rand study estimates that treatment would pay for itself within two years, largely by reducing the loss of productivity. This is the least we can do for our veterans.

Lawrence M. Wein is a professor of management science at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Support the Hempstead 15 on November 10

You’ve seen the videos: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlI7tQCqwbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eupU-StpCqM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Gd_ojcnk0. 

You’ve read the testimonies: 
http://www.squadron13.com/BillPerry/HofstraDebate/default.htm 

You’ve called the campaigns and demanded answers.

Once again, it’s time to assemble. Please join the Hempstead 15 in court Monday, Nov. 10th, at the Nassau County District Court at 99 Main Street in Hempstead, NY.

Ten members of Iraq Veterans Against the War and five of our supporters who make up the Hempstead 15 will be arraigned for “disorderly conduct” at 9 a.m. We’re asking our supporters to show up at 8. Following the hearing, members of the Hempstead 15 will be available for questions and general socializing.

We ask that all supporters continue to respect the non-violent and reconciliatory nature and intent of our organization, particularly by helping us spread messages surrounding dignity and medical treatment for our veterans and acknowledgement of their voices which deserve to be heard.

As well, we ask that you sign the following petition condemning the trampling of Nick Morgan and others at the Oct. 15th demonstration which will be presented to the courts on the day of our arraignment.http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/justicefornick/ As well, please donate funds to help cover Nick’s medical bills at ivaw.org.

Thank you for all you’ve done, thank you for what you’re doing, and thank you for making what’s to come a reality. May we always find people uniting around the ideals of freedom, justice and democracy, in times of war and peace alike.

Thank you for moving forward with us, and we look forward to seeing you all at the courthouse! 

In solidarity,

The Hempstead 15

Nick Morgan SGT, USA IVAW DC
James Gilligan CPL, USMC IVAW Philadelphia
Kris Goldsmith SGT, USA IVAW NYC
Marlisa Grogan CPT, USMC IVAW NYC
Matthis Chiroux SGT, USA IVAW NYC
Adam Kokesh SGT, USMC IVAW DC
Nathan Peld PO2, USN IVAW Central NY
Mike Spinnato CPL, USMC IVAW Boston
Jose Vasquez SSG, USAR IVAW NYC
Geoff Millard SGT, ARNG IVAW DC
Paul Blasenheim Washington, DC
Megan Day Portchester, MA
David M. Disimino Tacoma Park, MD
Lianne Gillouly Boston, MA
Ryan Olander Highland Park, NJ