Feb 09, 2009 — Last week, the U.S. Army announced 2008 saw the highest soldier suicide rate on record. Now, the news is even worse. The Army believes 24 more soldiers committed suicide just last month, six times the number from January 2008. One Army official told CNN, "this is terrifying, we do not know what's going on." Inside the Army and out, experts agree back-to-back deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan are taking a devastating toll on mental health among soldiers. The Army has been trying to catch up on treating post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Tom Tarantino says it's still not enough. Tarantino is an Iraq veteran and is a policy associate for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. The group was lobbying Capitol Hill last week for more mental health care for veterans. Tarantino told David Sommerstein there is still a stubborn stigma among soldiers attached with seeking help.  Go to full article

Nov 19, 2008 — There are approximately 1.7 million veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The largest group that represents them says President-Elect Barack Obama needs to listen to the "boots-on-the-ground" truth about veterans' health care. We continue "A Fresh Start," our series of recommendations for the Obama Adminsitration, with Todd Bowers of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. He's also a marine staff sergeant who served two tours of duty in Iraq. Bowers told David Sommerstein Congress has made hundreds of recommendations to better help veterans since the neglect scandal at Walter Reed almost two years ago. But he says most of those are gathering dust on shelves. He says the Obama Administration must implement them.  Go to full article

Nov 13, 2008 — A new clinic to treat people who have suffered brain injuries is opening in Carthage. The center will feature a promising new therapy for accident and stroke victims. It may also serve veterans who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan with brain trauma. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Nov 11, 2008 — The days are graying and sunlight is diminishing as winter approaches. It's SAD season. Todd Moe talks with University of Vermont psychologist Dr. Kelly Rohan about treatments for the often unrecognized and sometimes debilitating seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, and its symptoms.  Go to full article

Sep 16, 2008 — America's military has been at war in Afghanistan and Iraq for seven years. The long campaign has brought new strains to soldiers and service-members. But the pressure is also growing on military families and children. Advocates are pushing for more financial support, better mental health programs, and better housing. Brian Mann was in Washington DC last week for a conference on the future of military families, hosted by National Public Radio. He spoke with Michele Joyner. She's a military spouse herself and works with the National Military Families Association.  Go to full article

Sep 15, 2008 — Fort Drum soldiers are training for yet another mission overseas. Defense officials announced last week that the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Brigade will lead a surge of forces in Afghanistan likely early next year. The quick tempo of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan is being blamed for the growing problem of suicide among soldiers. The Army has responded with new suicide prevention programs. But the number of soldiers taking their own lives this year is expected to break the record set last year. On Friday, Fort Drum held a memorial march to draw attention to the issue. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Sep 10, 2008 — The United States Army is facing a particularly grim statistic. After a record number of soldiers killed themselves last year, the number of suicides is on pace to be even higher this year. According to the Associated Press, there are 62 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers and Guard and Reserve troops called to active duty in 2008. Another 31 deaths appear to be suicides but are still being investigated. Army Secretary Pete Geren told the AP, "Army leaders are fully aware that repeated deployments have led to increased distress and anxiety for both soldiers and their families." Friday morning at Fort Drum, officials are drawing attention to the danger of suicide with a memorial walk at 11 am. The public is invited to attend. David Sommerstein spoke with Ralph Marcellus, the coordinator of Fort Drum's suicide awareness and prevention campaign.  Go to full article

May 30, 2008 — A group of nurses and other unionized workers rallied yesterday for more staff at Sunmount Developmental Center in Tupper Lake. The state-run facility is home to more than 200 residents with mental and physical disabilities. Nurses say a staff shortage is hurting patients and straining staff. Jacob Resneck reports.  Go to full article

May 28, 2008 — New Pentagon figures show 40,000 U.S. troops have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder since 2003. But Army officials believe many more are keeping their illness secret. A study released last month by the Rand Corporation puts the number much higher. It found that 300,000 - one in five veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan -- suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or major depression. Army Surgeon General Eric Schoomaker says officials are encouraging troops to get help, military or civilian. Fort Drum in Watertown has begun expanding its mental health programs. The VA is also scrambling to create new therapy methods to treat PTSD. In the May 19 issue of The New Yorker magazine, North Country writer Sue Halpern profiled one experimental new treatment called "Virtual Iraq."

Halpern told Brian Mann the story of one Marine named Travis Boyd who used the "virtual reality" computer simulation to heal from his wartime experience.  Go to full article

Apr 17, 2008 — Mental health advocates are asking New York's legislature to expand unlimited mental health coverage for people with post traumatic stress disorder, including returning war veterans and victims of domestic violence. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article