A new report by several anti-war veterans groups is shedding light on the mental health treatment of our nation’s heroes.
The report is a composed of testimonies from 31 active-duty troops at Fort Hood, Texas in 2012 and 2013. The testimonies were collected by Iraq Veterans Against the War, the Civilian Soldier Alliance, and Under the Hood Café and Outreach center.
It describes instances of inadequate mental health screenings for soldiers pre and post deployment. And, it charges that Fort Hood commanders, “routinely disregard and override doctors orders,” sending non-deployable soldiers back to the battlefield.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal reacted to the report and called for annual mental health screenings for every single active duty soldier.
“Our veterans as well as our active duty military deserve the best in medicine. Not put at risk when they put their own lives at risk on the battlefield,” Blumenthal said.