On July 27, the House Veterans’ Affairs committee held a hearing on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues Co-Chair Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) said in a statement, “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the ailments that have afflicted our veterans. Long acknowledged as a problem for many serving in the military, the illness continues to wage a war in the veteran’s mind through nightmares, flashbacks, insomnia, and emotional detachment.”
Noting that “recent research shows that primary care clinics at VA hospitals are failing to recognize PTSD,” Ranking Member Lane Evans (D-IL) stated that more must be done to educate servicemembers and their families on PTSD. “Early outreach, identification, intervention and treatment are essential if we are to help returning soldiers and veterans make the journey home from combat,” he said.
The first witness, Stefanie Pelkey, explained that her husband, Captain Michael Pelkey, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound one week after being diagnosed with PTSD. Captain Pelkey was deployed in Iraq for five months. Ms. Pelkey stated, “If only the military community had reached out to family members in some manner to prepare them for and make them aware of the symptoms of PTSD, my family’s tragedy could have been averted. I believe that it is crucial that spouses be informed about the symptoms and make a point in telling them that PTSD can happen long after what psychiatrists call an adjustment period. Spouses are sometimes the only ones who will encourage a soldier to seek help.”
Association of VA Psychologist Leaders President Terence M. Keane acknowledged that mental health services for servicemembers’ families have been limited, but he applauded “the increased inclusion of mental health services for families that are affected by activation, deployment, injury, or death.” He recommended that staff trained to provide “special services for women veterans as well as services to spouses and families” be part of suggested “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Teams (PCTs)” for every medical center.
Pointing out that “military sexual trauma is recognized by VA as one cause of PTSD among men and women,” National Center for PTSD Director Matthew Friedman added, “The stigma of such trauma is compounded by peer pressure, unreceptive leadership, or fear of jeopardizing one’s career. This can only be overcome if safety and confidentiality can be ensured for victims who wish to disclose such events and if timely treatment can be provided.”
