WASHINGTON — Roughly one in every five U.S. service members who have survived the dangers of Iraq and Afghanistan suffers from major depression or post-traumatic stress, an independent study said Thursday. It estimated the toll at 300,000 or more.
As many or more report possible brain injuries from explosions or other head wounds, said the study, the first major survey from outside the government.
Only about half of those with mental-health problems have sought treatment. Even fewer of those with head injuries have seen doctors.
Army Surgeon General Eric Schoomaker said the report, from the Rand Corp., was welcome.
“They’re helping us to raise the visibility and the attention that’s needed by the American public at large,” said Schoomaker, a lieutenant general. “They are making this a national debate.”
The researchers said 18.5 percent of current and former service members contacted in a survey reported symptoms of depression or post-traumatic stress. Based on Pentagon data that more than 1.6 million have deployed to the two wars, the researchers calculated that about 300,000 are suffering from mental health problems.
Nineteen percent — or an estimated 320,000 — might have suffered head injuries, the study calculated.
“There is a major health crisis facing those men and women who have served our nation in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Terri Tanielian, the project’s co-leader. “Unless they receive appropriate and effective care for these mental health conditions, there will be long-term consequences for them and for the nation.”
The study includes a survey of 1,965 service members across the country, from all branches of the armed forces and including those still in the military as well as veterans.
