Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: DoD Needs to Identify the Factors Its Providers Use to Make Mental Health Evaluation Referrals for Servicemembers

Abstract

Many servicemembers supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) have engaged in intense and prolonged combat, which research has shown to be strongly associated with the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). GAO, in response to the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, (1) describes DODs extended health care benefit and VAs health care services for OEF/OIF veterans; (2) analyzes DOD data to determine the number of OEF/OIF servicemembers who may be at risk for PTSD and the number referred for further mental health evaluations; and(3) examines whether DOD can provide reasonable assurance that OEF/OIF servicemembers who need further mental health evaluations receive referrals.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2006
Accession Number
AD1166502

Entities

People

  • Cynthia A. Bascetta

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Congress
  • Counseling
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of Veterans Affairs
  • Governments
  • Health
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • House Of Representatives
  • Iraqi-War
  • Medical Personnel
  • Mental Health
  • Mental Health Services
  • National Security
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • United States
  • United States Government

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.
  • Strategic Security Studies