Mental health is not something that seems to crop up on the political radar too often. Health care reform gets a lot of attention (and rightfully so) but mental wellness seems to be the neglected black sheep of the policy family. People either don't understand it, are uncomfortable with it in public, or, most amazingly, simply still cease to believe it is a matter of serious concern.Apparently, the defense community falls into the latter. The Pentagon announced last week that they will not bestow the Purple Heart to any soldier on the basis of mental health disorders caused by events during service. The rationale? Mental disorders are notoriously hard to quantify and diagnose, and with 1 in 4 Americans annually suffering from some type of affliction, it may seem too ubiquitous too deserve such a high honor. Additionally, the opportunity exists for misuse by those seeking greater benefits.
But with the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the skyrocketing suicide rate among returning soldiers, it should be obvious that these are very real problems affecting our country's soldiers that deserve some type of recognition. This decision seems to mark a step backwards in the quest to establish PTSD and other mental problems as serious conditions and more importantly improve the availability and efficacy of treatment.
Outreach and rehabilitation services to veterans are notoriously poor and marginalizing those with serious mental disorders will only exacerbate any problems veterans have in re-adjusting to life at home. The Pentagon doesn't have to give them a medal, but the least they deserve is a chance at a normal life.
