Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Shortage of military therapists creates strain
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Shortage of military therapists creates strain
By KIMBERLY HEFLING,Associated Press Writer -
Sunday, November 8
Send
IM Story
Print
WASHINGTON – Amputations. Combat stress. Divorce. Suicide. For every physical and mental strain on service members, there's often a military therapist at their side.
With the U.S. fighting wars on two fronts, an acute shortage of trained personnel has left these therapists emotional drained and overworked, with limited time to prepare for their own war deployments.
An Army psychiatrist is suspected in the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, and the rampage is raising questions about whether there's enough help for the helpers, even though it's unclear whether that stress or fear of his pending service in Afghanistan might be to blame.
An uncle of Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan said Saturday that Hasan was deeply affected by his work treating soldiers returning from war zones. "I think I saw him with tears in his eyes when he was talking about some of patients, when they came overseas from the battlefield," Rafik Hamad told The Associated Press from his home near the West Bank town of Ramallah.
Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., a psychologist in the Navy Reserves, said the toll is sometimes described as "compassion fatigue" or "vicarious trauma."
"They may not see combat themselves ... but they see the outcome of it and they hear the stories of it day in and day out," Murphy said. "It can be very real when you are dealing with people's difficulties every day."
A military mental health task force in 2007 expressed concerned about the stress on nondeployed mental health personnel because of the shortage, which it said was leading to high attrition rates. "A vicious cycle has formed that will probably continue to worsen before it improves," the report said.
Dr. Layton McCurdy, a psychiatrist and dean emeritus at the Medical University of South Carolina who served on the task force, said the shortage continues with the thousands of troops needing help because of combat-related stress.
"The psychiatrists are working with more people than they have time to work with," McCurdy said. "They are pressured in terms of the numbers."
The military has used bonuses, scholarships, and allowed the hiring of legal nonresidents as part of its effort to bolster the number of therapists. It's even trying a pilot program that allows older health care providers to enter the Army for two years.
With the efforts, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said recently at a mental health conference that in the past two years, the Army has added nearly 900 behavior health providers _ a 50 percent increase.
But he said that still leaves the service with a shortfall of more than 330 specialists, which is a gap that will grow to more than 500 if the Army follows through on recommendations to put uniformed providers in every brigade.
Barbara Cohoon, deputy director of government relations at the National Military Family Association, said while some therapists are embedding with units in the war zones, others are in more isolated areas at war where they might not be in the company of other therapists. She said the association has grown increasingly concerned about whether therapists are getting enough support in the war zones and on the home front.
"Who do they go to if they are feeling stressed?" Cohoon said.
Part of medical training _ for psychiatrists, too _ is learning when to seek help, Dr. Robert Ursano, psychiatry chief at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, told a meeting between military and civilian medical researchers Friday.
While it may be difficult, those providing support to troops must be willing to seek it themselves, said Capt. James Joppy Jr., a social worker in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard who is preparing to deploy to Iraq.
"We experience the same things everyone else does. It just happens we're helping everyone," Joppy said.
Brig. Gen. Terry "Max" Haston, the assistant adjutant general of the Tennessee Army National Guard, reminded about 100 mental health and substance abuse counselors meeting at a Guard center in Smyrna, Tenn., on Friday that combat affects more than just soldiers who went to war.
"This soldier had never deployed, but he listened to soldiers who had come back from theater and it had that large effect on him," Haston said. "What I am doing is cautioning you to take care of yourself. We are at war right here and you are on the front lines each and every day and you're dealing with a real hidden enemy."
___
AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard in Washington and Kristin M. Hall in Smyrna, Tenn., contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Ida spurs tropical storm warnings in Caribbean AP - Sunday, November 8
Shortage of military therapists creates strain AP - Sunday, November 8
Medvedev: Arms control deal with US can be reached AP - Sunday, November 8
Pelosi: Obama visit inspired Democrats AP - Sunday, November 8
George W. Bush visits Fort Hood, wounded soldiers AP - Sunday, November 8
News Search
Top Stories
Obama to push lawmakers on health care vote
Opel chief quits after GM decides to keep European unit
Obesity causes 100,000 US cancers every year: study
10 percent jobless rate adds to pressure on Obama
US grieves after Muslim doctor kills 13 on army base
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Gold price hits record after 'Sri Lanka purchase'
US grieves after Muslim doctor kills 13 on army base
10 percent jobless rate adds to pressure on Obama
Newborns cry, coo in their own language: study
Opel chief quits after GM decides to keep European unit
More Most Viewed »
Somali centenarian weds 17-year-old
Mobile phone giant Nokia sues Apple over patents
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Sunday, 8 November 2009 Two Britons Win $149 Million Lottery Jackpot
Escaped Circus Elephant Sideswipes Car
The Sky Is Falling: Mysterious Ice Chunks Hit Chicago Home
Japanese Gangster Opens Fire On Three Debt Collectors, Then Commits Suicide
New Mom Sarah Jessica Parker Relishes The Smell Of Dirty Diapers
Dartmouth Scientist Uses Modern Technology To Authenticate Iconic Oswald Photo
Atlanta Man Rescues One Dog, Ends Up With Ten
Iran to reject UN-brokered nuclear plan: leading MP
G20 wants 'ambitious' Copenhagen talks
G20 'agrees timetable' for monitoring economic policy
Obama to push lawmakers on health care vote
Lebanon's Hariri set to form government with Hezbollah
Honduran rivals signal new bid to solve crisis
| International
|
Study shows high cost of German reunification: report
| International
|
Iran releases 3 journalists jailed during rallies
British man provides photo for his own wanted poster
| International
|
Shortage of military therapists creates strain
China PM reaches out to Muslims in Cairo speech
Fort victims had different reasons for enlisting
To defang Taliban, some look to private schools
Pelosi: Obama visit inspired Democrats
Thousands throng Indian town for Dalai Lama visit
George W. Bush visits Fort Hood, wounded soldiers
Lawyer: Fla. office shooting suspect mentally ill
Afghan ministry: NATO strike kills Afghan soldiers
France asks Sri Lanka to end emergency laws
Another attack leaves US Muslims fearing backlash
Japan urges Myanmar to release Suu Kyi before poll
Ministry: NATO airstrike kills Afghan soldiers
Colo. man who threatened Obama makes weapons plea
Japan to increase aid to Myanmar: PM
Navy ship built with WTC steel goes into service
Prized mushroom collection returns to China
Muslim leader had troubling talks with suspect
Pohang beat Al Ittihad to win AFC Champions League
Obama to push lawmakers on health care vote
Police: LA celebrity burglaries led by 19-year-old
A Prophet nominated for six European film awards
| Entertainment
|
Sri Lanka buying gold 'to diversify reserves'
Police: LA celebrity burglaries led by 19-year-old
Advertisers face resistance to on-line tracking
In eastern Europe, people pine for socialism
| International
|
Advertisers face resistance to on-line tracking
IMF says stimulus needed to aid 'nascent' recovery
"Modern Warfare 2" strikes on Tuesday
Iran releases 3 journalists jailed during rallies
Award-winning Cuban blogger says she was beaten, detained
Dalai Lama begins visit to disputed India state
| International
|
Brazil blackouts result of cyber hacking: report
Families hold Rio memorial for doomed Air France flight
Market attack in NW Pakistan kills at least 8
| International
|
Yushchenko to blame for Russia-Ukraine spat: Medvedev
Saudi Arabia says regains area seized by Yemen rebels
| International
|
Haiti's new prime minister wins confirmation
| International
|
China's Wen seeks to boost blossoming Africa ties
| International
|
House Roll Call: How they voted on abortion issue
Dalai Lama visits town near Tibet, angering China
Market attack in NW Pakistan kills at least 8
Clinton leaves for Europe, Asia
Japanese FM says no base deal during Obama visit
House passes health care bill on close vote
Funeral services held for slain New Mexico nun
Police: Suicide bomb in northwest Pakistan kills 8
Report: NKorea's Kim Jong Il fires top TV official
US ship built from twin tower steel commissioned
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
US is helping Guyana track terror suspect: US official
Malaysia to charge Japanese woman over drug haul
House passes resolution honoring Fort Hood victims
Deans's joy as rugby slam bid starts with England win
Japanese protest over US base before Obama visit
U.S. House approves sweeping healthcare overhaul
Obama wraps up Afghan review, eyes final options
China's new Nasdaq-style board sees wild start
India's fast-growing telecom sector hits trouble
iPhone disappoints in China launch: analysts
SKorean workers march against labour law plan
Chinese premier: Africa trade push is 'selfless'
An east German stockbroker wrestles with his fate
Taiwan breeders see big profits in rare shrimps
Nepal emerges as 'poacher's paradise'
Hopper: All's 'good right now' despite cancer
Guests for the Sunday TV news shows
Japanese cellist wins world's top competition
Swiss less wary of foreigners than a decade ago: survey
Pope a fan of sports -- but not doping athletes
"A Prophet" nominated for six European film awards
Nabokov's unfinished -- and unburned -- novel reappears
Taiwan court to scrap 'unfair' law on prostitutes
European Court Ruling Against Classroom Crucifix Stirs Italy, Prompts Appeal
Netanyahu's Washington trip clouded by Abbas threat
Japan eyes solar station in space
Saudis claim gains from Yemen rebels
NATO, Afghanistan probe deadly 'friendly' strike
Thousands in West Bank urge Abbas not to quit
| International
|
Russia must keep promise to supply missiles: Iran
| International
|
17 rebels killed in Afghan battle: ministry
China to boost aid to Africa as ties blossom
| International
|
War support flagging as Britain remembers fallen
Hurricane Ida strengthens, 42 dead in Salvador
| International
|
Women fight new battle in Iraq's insurgent corner
| International
|
Congolese forces arrest 100 over police deaths
| International
|
AP NewsAlert
Police: 1 killed, 3 injured in shooting near Vail
Dalai Lama visits Indian state disputed by China
China to boost aid to Africa as ties blossom
Chinese premier pledges funds, aid to Africa
Murder case a glimpse into stresses of caretaking
Thaksin to visit Cambodia this week: PM
Malaysian lawmakers put marriages on line in oath
Fuel convoy hit in eastern Afghanistan
British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan
Jimmy Cobb still 'Kind of Blue' after 50 years
Communist consumer goods make comeback
US Bordeaux prices at risk of 'bloodbath', experts say
Kosher comics prove hit with Israel's Haredi Jews
India PM invites world to invest in economy
Football fever transforms 'Carmen' in SAfrica
Shakespeare's MacBeth meets Africa in Botswana's opera
Indian PM hopes for 7 percent growth next year
Taiwan, China to sign financial agreement: report
Nobel laureate says global crisis a chance to change
Hundreds join anti-corruption rally in Indonesia
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights